Thread by @vipintukur

A new study aimed to determine if persistent inflammation and ongoing T-cell activation during convalescence were a contributing factor to the pathogenesis of #LongCovid 1/

Researchers followed 52 individuals with #LongCovid. They isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and stained for multiple T cell activation markers. The activation states of participants’ CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells were also analyzed for each of the persistent symptoms 2/

Overall, the researchers found that participants with persistent symptoms had significantly higher levels of inflammation at multiple time points during convalescence when compared to those who fully recovered from COVID-19. 3/

They find CD8+ T-cell activation following SARS-CoV-2 infection in adults experiencing post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 and that the increase in T regulatory cells for a subset of these patients represents the ongoing attempt by the host to reduce inflammation. 4/

People w/ persistent dyspnea, forgetfulness, confusion & chest pain had significantly higher levels of effector T-cells (CD8+Ki67+) & those with chest pain, joint pain, difficulty concentrating, & forgetfulness had higher levels of regulatory T-cells (CD4+CD25+). 5/

Additionally, those with dyspnea had significantly higher levels of CD8+CD38+, CD8+ Granzyme B+, and CD8+IL10+ cells. 6/

A retrospective comparison of acute phase inflammatory markers in adults with & without #LongCovid showed that CD8+Ki67+ cells were significantly higher at the time of acute illness (up to 14 days post-diagnosis) in those who developed persistent dyspnea. 7/

Conclusions:

1-Persistently elevated inflammatory T cell markers may contribute to the development and progression of multiple #LongCovid symptoms. 8/

2-Continued CD8+ T-cell activation following SARS-CoV-2 infection in adults experiencing #LongCovid and that the increase in T regulatory cells for a subset of these patients represents the ongoing attempt by the host to reduce inflammation. 9/

3-Chronic inflammation is a risk factor for other chronic conditions, such as cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, or autoimmune disease, which heightens the significance of follow up investigation with this cohort 10/

4-The data from this study support a growing body of evidence associating PASC with persistent inflammation & immune dysregulation as early predictors of disease & warrant attention towards appropriate therapeutics and interventions for the prevention and treatment of PASC. 11/

Here is the link to the study👇

frontiersin.org/articles/10.33…