In order to assess potential differences in the overall leukocyte activation capacity between patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia or bacterial pneumonia, levels of IL-2, IFNy and TNF were determined after ex vivo stimulation with PWM, or in vehicle treated controls in whole blood samples drawn on the day of ICU admission (day 0), and potential changes over time were assessed in samples obtained on day 4 and day 7. Here, TNF is linked to bacterial pneumonia.