Active virus reservoirs would persist in the body of patients with long Covid.
Here is the conclusion recently reached by American researchers from Harvard Medical School, following observing the circulation of the “spike” protein, characteristic of SARS-CoV-2, in the blood flow of 65% of patients who continue to present symptoms. symptoms, up to 12 months following infection. An observation which comes on top of previous works already going in this direction, and which would explain spike persistencewhile its lifespan is normally very short.
Another study showed the presence of Covid RNA in different areas of the body up to 7 months following infection. A post-mortem analysis of tissues had also confirmed the presence of viral proteins in the respiratory tissues but also cardiovascular, lymphatic, gastrointestinal and cerebral.
The gut trail
More importantly, children who developed multisystem inflammatory syndrome (PIMS), months following infection, had high levels of spike protein in the blood. In question, too much permeability of the intestines in these little ones. Treated with a drug that improves intestinal permeability, their symptoms improved significantly.
All these clues suggest, according to the authors, the presence of reservoirs of the virus, possibly in the intestine. This is where SARS-CoV-2 might replicate at will. An interesting avenue that might guide research towards targeted and effective treatments once morest this persistent and very disabling syndrome.
