Tag: long covid complications

Thrombophilia and Immune-Related Genetic Markers in Long COVID

Abstract:

Aiming to evaluate the role of ten functional polymorphisms in long COVID, involved in major inflammatory, immune response and thrombophilia pathways, a cross-sectional sample composed of 199 long COVID (LC) patients and a cohort composed of 79 COVID-19 patients whose follow-up by over six months did not reveal any evidence of long COVID (NLC) were investigated to detect genetic susceptibility to long COVID.
Ten functional polymorphisms located in thrombophilia-related and immune response genes were genotyped by real time PCR. In terms of clinical outcomes, LC patients presented higher prevalence of heart disease as preexistent comorbidity. In general, the proportions of symptoms in acute phase of the disease were higher among LC patients.
The genotype AA of the interferon gamma (IFNG) gene was observed in higher frequency among LC patients (60%; p = 0.033). Moreover, the genotype CC of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene was also more frequent among LC patients (49%; p = 0.045). Additionally, the frequencies of LC symptoms were higher among carriers of IFNG genotypes AA than among non-AA genotypes (Z = 5.08; p < 0.0001).
Two polymorphisms were associated with LC in both inflammatory and thrombophilia pathways, thus reinforcing their role in LC. The higher frequencies of acute phase symptoms among LC and higher frequency of underlying comorbidities might suggest that acute disease severity and the triggering of preexisting condition may play a role in LC development.
Source: da Silva R, de Sarges KML, Cantanhede MHD, da Costa FP, dos Santos EF, Rodrigues FBB, de Nazaré do Socorro de Almeida Viana M, de Meira Leite M, da Silva ALS, de Brito MTM, da Silva Torres MK, Queiroz MAF, Vallinoto IMVC, Henriques DF, dos Santos CP, Viana GMR, Quaresma JAS, Falcão LFM, Vallinoto ACR, dos Santos EJM. Thrombophilia and Immune-Related Genetic Markers in Long COVID. Viruses. 2023; 15(4):885. https://doi.org/10.3390/v15040885 https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/15/4/885 (Full text)

Long COVID in autoimmune rheumatic diseases

Abstract:

Consequences of Corona Virus Disease-19 (COVID-19) in patients with rheumatic diseases (RDs) are clinically diverse. SARS-CoV-2 infection has been associated with various autoimmune and rheumatic manifestations over the past three years. Emerging evidence points to the possibility of Long COVID predisposition in rheumatic patients due to the changes in immune regulatory response. The aim of this article was to overview data on the pathobiology of Long COVID in patients with RDs.

Related risk factors, clinical characteristics, and prognosis of Long COVID in RDs were analyzed. Relevant articles were retrieved from Medline/PubMed, Scopus, and Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ). Diverse mechanisms of viral persistence, chronic low-grade inflammation, lasting production of autoantibodies, endotheliopathy, vascular complications, and permanent tissue damage have been described in association with Long COVID. Patients with RDs who survive COVID-19 often experience severe complications due to the immune disbalance resulting in multiple organ damage. Regular monitoring and treatment are warranted in view of the accumulating evidence.

Source: Fedorchenko Y, Zimba O. Long COVID in autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Rheumatol Int. 2023 Mar 30:1–11. doi: 10.1007/s00296-023-05319-0. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36995436; PMCID: PMC10061411. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10061411/ (Full text)

Metabolic and endocrine complications of long COVID-19: A review

Abstract:

Over the past two years, the COVID-19 outbreak caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), centralized the interest of the health care systems and the scientific world. Majority of the COVID-19 infected individuals fully recover. However, about 12%-50% of patients experience a variety of mid- and long-term effects after recovering from the initial illness. These mid- and long-term effects are collectively known as post-COVID-19 condition or ‘long-COVID’. In the coming months, the long-term consequences of COVID-19 on the metabolic and endocrine systems may expect to rise and pose a global health care challenge. This review article aims to discuss the possible metabolic and endocrine complications of long-COVID and the relevant research findings.

Source: Bandara T, Deshmukh HA, Abdalla M, Sathyapalan T. Metabolic and endocrine complications of long COVID-19: A review. Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes. 2023 Mar 28. doi: 10.1055/a-2063-8697. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36977491. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36977491/

Should We Expect an Increase in the Number of Cancer Cases in People with Long COVID?

Abstract:

The relationship between viral infections and the risk of developing cancer is well known. Multiple mechanisms participate in and determine this process. The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has resulted in the deaths of millions of people worldwide. Although the effects of COVID-19 are limited for most people, a large number of people continue to show symptoms for a long period of time (long COVID). Several studies have suggested that cancer could also be a potential long-term complication of the virus; however, the causes of this risk are not yet well understood. In this review, we investigated arguments that could support or reject this possibility.
Source: Amiama-Roig A, Pérez-Martínez L, Rodríguez Ledo P, Verdugo-Sivianes EM, Blanco J-R. Should We Expect an Increase in the Number of Cancer Cases in People with Long COVID? Microorganisms. 2023; 11(3):713. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11030713 (Full text)