Pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines measured in the blood of acute representative influenza+ patients showed increased cytokine levels, particularly IL-6 and IL-8, between mild and moderate patients as defined by lower (0–1) or higher (2–6) sequential (sepsis-related) organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores29, respectively, and in the more severe patient requiring ICU support (Fig. 1e). This evidence concerns the gene CXCL8 and influenza.