IL18 and COVID-19: The observed leukopenia, particularly the significant decrease in neutrophil counts, may indicate a systemic downregulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, a cytosolic complex pivotal in initiating the inflammatory cascade, attenuating the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-1β and IL-18, thereby mitigating the cytokine storm frequently observed in severe COVID-19 cases [29].