Review Lights and Shadows of Long COVID: Are Latent Infections the Real Hidden Enemy?, 2024, Serapide et al

Lights and Shadows of Long COVID: Are Latent Infections the Real Hidden Enemy?

Francesca Serapide, Marisa Talarico, Salvatore Rotundo, Vittorio Pascale, Riccardo Serraino, Enrico Maria Trecarichi, Alessandro Russo

Abstract
Long COVID-19 (LC) is a poorly understood, multifactorial condition that persists for at least three months following SARS-CoV-2 infection. The underlying pathophysiological mechanisms responsible for the wide range of associated symptoms—including fatigue, brain fog, and respiratory issues—remain unclear.

However, emerging evidence suggests that the reactivation of latent viral infections, such as Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, and varicella-zoster virus, may significantly contribute to the complexity of LC. These latent viruses can be reactivated by SARS-CoV-2, contributing to a chronic inflammatory state that prolongs symptomatology.

This review confirms the potential involvement of latent viral infections in LC and examines whether these infections play an independent role or act synergistically with other factors. In addition, recent studies have highlighted viral persistence and immune dysregulation as key elements in LC.

Our findings suggest that preventative strategies, including vaccination and antiviral treatments during the acute phase of COVID-19, show potential in reducing LC risk by preventing viral reactivation. However, tailored diagnostic and therapeutic strategies targeting these latent infections are urgently needed. Identifying biomarkers of viral reactivation, particularly for high-risk populations, could be considered another effective strategy to mitigate LC severity.

Further research is crucial to better understand the interactions between SARS-CoV-2 and latent infections, and to improve the prevention and treatment of LC.

Link | PDF (Journal of Clinical Medicine) [Open Access]

 

I can’t believe they can do an entire review of the literature while holding onto the asssumption Long COVID is a single condition and not a bunch of different conditions triggered by COVID…

Zero mentions of underlying conditions or subtypes. Zero mentions that one of the most common and disabling conditions included in the long COVID umbrella term has had 50 years of research into possible viral persistence.

As far as I can tell, this is the closest they come towards referring to ME: