COVID-19 patients with ARDS exhibited higher serum levels of all cytokines and chemokines measured (IFNy, TNFa, IL-4, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-10, IL-13, MIP-1b, and MCP-1) compared to patients with COVID-19 pneumonia without ARDS (data not shown). The gene discussed is IL6; the disease is COVID-19.