Investigated influence of SARS-CoV infection on CXCL8 and CXCL10 in human intestinal epithelial cells.High concentrations of hydrocortisone prevented DNA binding activity of AP-1 and NF-kappabeta and inhibited upregulation of CXCL8 and CXCL10 but did not reduce chemokine expression to basal.Results suggest corticosteroid may be of limited benefit in suppression of chemokine production by SARS-CoV infected cells. This evidence concerns the gene CXCL8 and severe acute respiratory syndrome.