Discover the Solution for Long COVID: Abnormal Immune Cell Activation and Viral Persistence

Long COVID Patients Show Signs of Abnormal Immune Cell Activation and Viral Persistence

A study published in the journal Science Translational Medicine has revealed that Long COVID patients exhibit abnormal immune cell activation and carry remaining SARS - CoV-2 RNA in their gut . The persistence of the virus and sustained immune activation are believed to be significant factors contributing to long COVID symptoms . Common long COVID symptoms include fatigue , shortness of breath , brain fog , and heart disease , impacting an estimated 18 million adults in the US.

Full - Body PET Imaging Reveals Insights into Long COVID

Researchers from the University of California San Francisco conducted PET scans on 24 recovered COVID-19 patients , ranging from 27 to 910 days post - infection , to explore the biological basis of long COVID . The imaging showed activated T cells in regions such as the brain , spinal cord , gut , and lung tissues , correlating with long COVID symptoms like persistent pulmonary issues . The study identified intracellular SARS - CoV-2 RNA in the gut of patients with long COVID , even up to 676 days after the initial infection , highlighting the potential association between tissue viral persistence and long - term immune disruptions.

Immune Cell Activity and Viral RNA in Long COVID Patients

The research team at the University of California San Francisco and CellSight Technologies found that some long COVID patients display unusual immune cell activity in various organs , along with traces of SARS - CoV-2 RNA in their guts up to two years post - infection . PET scans conducted on the patients showed increased T cell activation in tissues throughout the body . Abnormal T cell activity was observed in areas corresponding to reported symptoms , such as brain fog , indicating a connection between immune responses and specific long COVID manifestations.

Implications for Long COVID Treatment and Understanding

The findings from both studies shed light on the biological underpinnings of long COVID , emphasizing the persistence of the virus and immune activation as critical factors in the condition . Understanding how SARS - CoV-2 lingers in the body and triggers abnormal immune responses could pave the way for targeted treatments for long COVID . Further research with larger cohorts is needed to elucidate the relationships between tissue - level immune responses and specific long COVID symptoms , offering hope for improved management and intervention strategies in the future.