Victoria AdolphusA groundbreaking study by Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital has shed new light on the perplexing phenomenon of long COVID. Researchers discovered that individuals experiencing severe and diverse long COVID symptoms are more likely to have persistent SARS-CoV-2 proteins in their blood, indicating a potential ongoing viral infection.
Key Findings:
- Persistent Viral Proteins: 43% of long COVID patients with multisystem symptoms tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 proteins.
- Ongoing Infection: Persistent viral presence may explain long COVID symptoms.
- Treatment Implications: Antivirals may alleviate symptoms in patients with ongoing infections.
- Complex Nature of Long COVID: Multiple causes likely exist, including immune system harm.
The Study
Researchers analyzed 1,569 blood samples from 706 participants, including 392 from the RECOVER Initiative. Using an ultrasensitive test, they detected whole and partial SARS-CoV-2 proteins.
Expert Insights
“If we can identify a subset of people with persistent viral symptoms, we may be able to treat them with antivirals.” – Zoe Swank, Postdoctoral Research Fellow
“There is likely more than one cause of long COVID.” – David Walt, Professor of Pathology
Future Research Directions
- Larger Studies: Analyzing blood samples and symptom data in diverse patient groups.
- Antiviral Treatment: Testing whether antiviral drugs eliminate persistent viral proteins.
- RECOVER-VITAL Trial: Investigating antiviral treatment’s effectiveness in long COVID patients.
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Related Reading
- Learn more about long COVID and its symptoms.
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- Stay updated on medical breakthroughs and treatments.
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