Thread by @fearnley_k

1/ Long Covid community!! I am SO excited to share with you the launch of the

💥Long Covid Research Initiative

🧵

https://twitter.com/research_long/status/1567725441657487360

2/ The LCRI is a collaboration between Long Covid patients, researchers, and clinicians to rapidly and comprehensively study the topic of SARSCoV2 #viralpersistence in Long Covid and the general population.

3/ The organisation was founded by patients and those with close ties to condition, and the research programme is being led by Chief Scientific Officer @microbeminded2.

4/ Anyone reading will know an alarming body of research now demonstrates #SARSCoV2 antigens and RNA can persist in a wide range of vital organs & tissues throughout the body – including brain 🧠 , lining of the gut, PNS, & lungs 🫁 – many months after the initial infection.

5/ A persistent virus could explain the other pathological processes we are seeing in #LongCovid, including abnormal coagulation, autoimmunity, T-cell exhaustion, and reactivation of other pathogens - such as #VZV and #EBV - harboured in the body.

6/ We know viruses - or genomic sequences - which persist in the body can have serious long term consequences.

7/ We do not yet know the long-long term harms of #SARSCoV2 but they are predictable from other viruses, and from what we see of this one, we have a right to be concerned.

8/ Research already shows that a mild, short-lived illness in the acute stage can lead to brain damage, and significantly increase cardiovascular and thrombotic risk, even amongst the previously healthy.

9/ We also know that immune system exhaustion and dysfunction, secondary to infection with #SARSCoV2, is allowing other latent pathogens harbored in the body to reactivate and drive chronic symptoms.

10/ These pathogens - the herpesviruses for example - are known to cause cancer and are implicated in the development of a growing number of chronic conditions including Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease.

11/ There is an urgent need to understand if #LongCovid patients still harbour the virus 🦠 & to determine what exactly the virus is doing to drive chronic disease.

12/ The Long Covid Research Initiative has developed a comprehensive research program to understand just that.

13/ The comprehensive research programme seeks to understand the basic science with ultimate aim to develop effective treatments, and will include tissue biopsy studies; autopsy and imaging studies; blood-based biomarker studies, and more!

14/ A Clinical Trials Program 💊will then build on the findings of the Research Program to identify a pipeline of therapeutics that LCRI will position into clinical trials.

15/ Funding for this vital research comes from a growing collation of philanthropic backers, including Balvi, a scientific investment fund led by @VitalikButerin who has generously donated $15 million, and the Chan Soon-Shiong Family Foundation, led by Dr @DrPatSoonShiong.

16/ To find out more, or make donation, please view the Long Covid Research Initiative website: lc19.org

17/ Also, if you’re not already following, give @research_long a follow to keep up-to-date with the latest #LongCovid developments.

Long Covid Research Initiative @research_long launches with over $15 million worth of funding investments from philanthropic backers to explore #viralpersistence in #LongCovid 🔥 @FT 🔥 @clivecookson ft.com/content/5d25e4…

@LongCovidAdvoc @LongCovidSOS @long_covid @LCKNIreland @longCovidkid @LckUsa @longcovidwork @LC_UK_Action @LongCovidNews @LongCovidKids @SessionsTlc @AppgCoronavirus