Thread by @fearnley_k

💥NEW PREPRINT from Harvard: #viralpersistence #LongCovid

Persistent circulating SARS-CoV-2 spike is associated with post-acute COVID-19 sequelae

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medrxiv.org/content/10.110…

2/ Plasma samples were collected from a cohort of 63 individuals previously infected with #SARSCoV2, 37 of whom were diagnosed with #LongCovid (PASC) & 26 recovered.

3/ In the PASC group (n=37) , blood samples were collected multiple times up to 12 months after first positive result.

In those individuals recovered (n=26), blood samples were collected up to 5 months post diagnosis.

4/ Ultra-sensitive, single-molecule (Simoa) assays were used to measure the concentration of #SARSCoV2 antigens (including the S1 subunit of spike, full length spike, and nucleocapsid (N)) in collected plasma samples.

5/ All three #SARSCoV2 antigens were detected in 65% of patients with PASC #LongCovid at ANY given time point, several MONTHS post acute infection, with spike being the most common antigen detected.

6/ Comparatively, #SARSCoV2 antigens (S1 and N) were detected in those recovered ONLY in the first week post diagnosis. Moreover, full spike protein was not detected in any of these patients.

7/ Of significance, regarding those with PASC, while full-spike antigen levels remained elevated in some for many months, in others, levels of full-spike antigen fluctuated, indicating that the *time of sampling is important*

8/ Plasma concentrations of cytokines were also collected, but no clear findings could be drawn.

9/ Conclusion: The presence of circulating #SARSCoV2 spike in PASC patients up to 12 months post diagnosis strongly suggest that #SARSCoV2 viral reservoirs persist in the body #viralpersistence

10/ Persistent viral reservoirs are likely a cause of PASC symptoms, but circulating spike & associated immune response may also contribute to symptom burden.

11/ The detection of #spike in the majority of individuals with PASC provides strong support for the use of spike as a biomarker for PASC.

12/ #ChronicCovid is something #longhaulers have long suspected. Science is now catching up.

13/ #viralpersistence in tissue reservoirs WILL be driving downstream processes of #autoimmunity #endotheliitis and abnormal coagulation #MicroClots

Time to #ClearTheVirus @NIH @NIHRresearch @NIHDirector #TreatLongCovid @pfizer @Merck @Novartis @AstraZeneca @GSK_bio @moderna_tx

@LongCovidAdvoc @LongCovidSOS @LC_UK_Action @long_covid @LongCovidKids @longCovidkid @LckUsa @fog_post @LongCOVIDPhysio @SessionsTlc @covidwellness @bmoreawesomeinc @LongCovidNL @LongCOVIDEurope @longcovidirl