Hypothesis Perspective: host factors variants and the underlying causes of long COVID, 2025, Pasharawipas

[forestglip]

Perspective: host factors variants and the underlying causes of long COVID

Tirasak Pasharawipas

Long COVID, also known as post-COVID syndrome (PCS), is characterized by persistent and unexplained symptoms that can occur not only in individuals who experienced severe symptoms during the acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection but also in those who were asymptomatic or had only mild symptoms. These symptoms may persist for months, even in individuals who test negative via nasopharyngeal swab samples.

This proposal aims to explain the cause of long COVID through the concept of host factor variants, including cellular variants and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) polymorphisms. A key aspect of this hypothesis is the role of antigen-presenting cells, such as macrophages and dendritic cells. It is proposed that blood or white blood cells could serve as suitable samples for diagnosing long COVID in affected individuals.

Link | PDF (Frontiers in Medicine) [Open Access

 

[Tirasak]

This perspective may also provide valuable insights into other viral infections beyond COVID-19. I would like to encourage researchers working on diverse pathogens to consider this framework in their own investigations, as it may help to explain differences in infection outcomes and post-viral complications.

 

[Jonathan Edwards]

I think that we can assume that it is likely that predisposing factors determine whether or not someone has prolonged symptoms after Covid but I don't see any actual explanation of the mechanism here. And as far as I know studies have not shown a clear link to MHC genes.

 

[Tirasak]

Yes, Sir. To date, there has been no direct study on the relationship between the occurrence of long COVID and the diversity of HLA alleles. I believe that such a study would require substantial resources and would be best conducted in developed countries with strong research capacity in terms of funding, equipment, and expertise. If anyone considers this concept feasible, they may wish to explore it further, and I would be glad to collaborate.


In this regard, I kindly invite you to read my previous article:
Host factors influencing variable symptoms of COVID-19. Asian Pac J Allergy Immunol, 42(2), 97–104. https://doi.org/10.12932/ap-091023-1708


This article presents research by several investigators concerning the association of chronic viral persistence in patients infected with various viruses such as HBV, HCV, and others. I sincerely wish I could contribute more, particularly by working on practical laboratory experiments; however, limited funding support remains the main obstacle.