Changes in the body provide clues for the development of Long COVID
A research team that includes RECOVER researchers found changes in the immune system of people with Long COVID. In a study supported by NIH and the RECOVER Initiative, researchers tested blood drawn from 268 people with and without Long COVID. The resulting data suggest that 3 types of biological changes may contribute to Long COVID and require further investigation:
- Low levels of cortisol, a hormone that helps control the body's response to stress and reduces inflammation
- High levels of viral antigens, or cells that fight viral infections
- Dormant or inactive viruses, such as the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), that become active again
These discoveries help describe changes in the bodies of people with Long COVID and could help inform tests and treatments for Long COVID. The journal Nature has published the study’s complete findings.