This study provides direct evidence that SARS human coronavirus is capable of infecting the central nervous system, and that Mig might be involved in the brain immunopathology of SARS.

Induction of IP-10 is a critical event in the initiation of immune-mediated acute lung injury and lymphocyte apoptosis during the development of SARS. Superinfection after the immune injury is the main cause of death. The prompt elevation of interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 is a sign of superinfection, indicating a high risk of death.