All articles tagged with #viral persistence
Some viruses, including Ebola, can hide in immune-privileged areas of the human body like the eyes and testes, remaining dormant and potentially reactivating or transmitting later, which complicates eradication efforts and highlights the need for targeted treatments.
Researchers suggest that long COVID may be driven by the persistence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the body, rather than just remnants. This viral persistence could explain ongoing symptoms and the emergence of new variants. While definitive proof of live virus persistence is lacking, recent studies indicate a strong correlation between persistent viral RNA and long COVID. The findings highlight the need for antiviral trials and public health measures to reduce infection rates and raise awareness about long COVID's risks across all age groups.
Research from UC San Francisco reveals that remnants of the COVID virus can persist in the body for up to two years after infection, potentially contributing to long COVID symptoms. The discovery has prompted clinical trials for potential therapies targeting the hidden virus. While safe and effective vaccines have led to a decline in infections and deaths, an estimated 7% of American adults are affected by long COVID, highlighting the urgent need for diagnostic tests and treatments. The presence of persistent viral proteins raises concerns about the potential for future outbreaks and the need for effective and safe treatments for long COVID.
A large community surveillance study in the UK identified 381 cases of persistent SARS-CoV-2 infections lasting at least 26 days, with some lasting up to 193 days, and 60 reinfections with the same major lineage. The study found evidence of viral persistence, adaptive evolution, and positive selection, with some infections showing rebounding viral load dynamics. The findings shed light on the prevalence and dynamics of persistent SARS-CoV-2 infections, highlighting their potential impact on viral evolution and long COVID.
Millions of Americans are grappling with Long COVID, with researchers suggesting that the virus may persist in patients' bodies, causing symptoms throughout the body. Patients report being ignored by physicians and struggling to access care, leading to self-advocacy and seeking help from Long-COVID clinics. The study sheds light on the possibility of viral persistence contributing to Long COVID symptoms, while emphasizing the importance of vaccines in reducing the risk of infection and Long COVID.
Long COVID refers to unexplained symptoms that persist for at least three months after COVID's onset and impact a person's quality of life. Different types of long COVID have different drivers, and women, older or middle-aged people, and those with pre-existing conditions are more affected. Studies have shown that people with long COVID have higher levels of inflammation, and viral persistence is suspected to be a cause. Clinical trials targeting concerns like viral persistence or inflammation are expected to begin this year.
Evidence is growing that an ongoing viral infection could be driving the symptoms of long COVID, at least in some patients. This theory of "viral persistence" posits that some people never fully eliminate the infection, that viral reservoirs are subsisting in the body and possibly triggering the symptoms of long COVID. While a direct link isn't yet proven, this line of research has gained momentum as more evidence has emerged indicating that some people seem to harbor "viral reservoirs'' after their initial illness has passed.