Blood Biomarkers Linked to Respiratory Symptoms in Long COVID Patients

Recent research from Karolinska Institutet has uncovered specific biomarkers in blood samples that are associated with long COVID, particularly those experiencing severe respiratory issues. These findings could significantly enhance the ability to diagnose and develop targeted treatments for long COVID. The study, published in Nature Immunology, analyzed blood plasma from patients in Sweden and the UK who had contracted COVID-19 early in the pandemic before vaccines were available. They identified a distinct pattern of proteins present mainly in individuals with persistent symptoms and respiratory difficulties.

Long COVID, also known as Post COVID, refers to ongoing symptoms following initial COVID-19 infection, with respiratory problems being among the most common and persistent. The researchers found that these proteins are linked to inflammatory pathways involved in cell death and lung tissue damage, echoing patterns observed in other severe lung disorders. Notably, patients who had recovered completely did not display these elevated proteins in their blood.

The detailed analysis involved measuring thousands of proteins using advanced techniques, including flow cytometry, on blood samples from 265 patients. All participants had experienced COVID-19 during the early pandemic period. The elevated proteins serve as potential biomarkers, enabling the development of precise diagnostic tools and therapy options for long COVID.

Understanding the biological basis of these symptoms could pave the way for targeted interventions. Future research aims to examine lung and gastrointestinal tissues to locate the sources of these proteins and assess ongoing inflammation or tissue damage in affected organs.

This pioneering work provides new insights into the biological mechanisms underpinning long COVID and offers hope for improved management of this complex condition.

Source: Medical Xpress