- A new study in Science Translational Medicine has found viral persistence of SARS-CoV-2 in the gut tissue of people with Long Covid, nearly two years after infection. Using advanced imaging, researchers also found aberrant T-cell activation in the spinal cord, brain stem, bone marrow, and cardiac tissue. The study’s authors concluded that the next step is to “rapidly scale up” clinical trials for antivirals and monoclonal antibodies to help treat the persistent virus. “Our findings provide clear evidence of virus persistence and sustained immune activation after Covid-19. We must use this information to test treatments that might get people better,” author Michael Peluso said in a PolyBio press release.* Read more about the study in STAT.
- Researchers at the National Institute of Health’s RECOVER program recently published two observational studies. The first paper found that nearly 10% of pregnant people who were infected with Covid-19 developed Long Covid, based on about 1,500 people whom researchers followed with regular check-ups after their infections. The second paper shares results from the electronic health records of over 3 million people, including the finding that Long Covid diagnosis is more common after initial infection than after reinfection. However, as study author and patient-researcher Hannah Davis noted on Twitter/X, many people who have Long Covid symptoms aren’t diagnosed, especially as testing has become less available.
- The Virginia Department of Health is conducting a study on Long Covid in the southwest region of the state. The study is a series of phone interviews conducted by the department to better understand how the disease is affecting residents. An official Long Covid diagnosis is not required to partake in the study. Read more about the study here and enroll using an online survey.
- Learn about more recent studies in the Long Covid Weekly newsletter, and check out their new database!
*Editor’s note: The PolyBio Research Foundation, like The Sick Times, has received support from the Balvi and Kanro funds. Our newsroom operates independently of financial supporters.
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