Study by Akiko Iwasaki at Yale and Mount Sinai Reveals Persistent SARS-CoV-2 in Long COVID Patients

Jul 5, 2024, 03:28 AM

A new study on Long COVID, conducted by HHMI Investigator Akiko Iwasaki and colleagues at Yale and Mount Sinai, reveals significant findings about the persistence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and its effects on patients. The research shows that viral RNA and activated T-cells can persist for years in Long COVID patients, contributing to symptoms such as brain fog and fatigue. The study also found evidence of inflammation and lingering virus in the gut wall and spinal cord of affected individuals. These findings highlight the biological nature of Long COVID, countering the notion that it is psychosomatic. The data are considered striking and suggest important new avenues for further research.