Central members of the cytochrome system including CYTB and ND5 as well as mitochondrial ribosome components (MRPL) and central metabolic enzymes such as Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2) and L-2-Hydroxyglutarate dehydrogenase (L2HGDH) were increased in COVID-19 compared to normal human plasma and/or ICU-ARDS patients. The gene discussed is L2HGDH; the disease is acute respiratory distress syndrome.