CXCL8 and acute respiratory distress syndrome: Most patients with severe COVID-19 report pulmonary and systemic inflammation associated with high cytokine and chemokine levels.(4,5) Excessive systemic inflammatory responses can lead to the development of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) and the dysfunction or failure of multiple organs and systems.(6) High levels of chemokines, such as interleukin-8 (IL-8), contribute to excessive neutrophil recruitment from the circulation into the lungs, which are overwhelmed by the severe systemic inflammation of COVID-19.(7,8)