SARS-CoV-2 Viral Load and Cytokine Dynamics Profile as Early Signatures of Long COVID Condition in Hospitalized Individuals
Jacobo Alonso Domínguez; Inés Martínez Barros; Irene Viéitez; Mercedes Peleteiro; Beatriz Calderón-Cruz; José A. González-Nóvoa; Alexandre Pérez González; Virginia Leiro Fernández; Aida López López; Eva Poveda López
BACKGROUND
The global pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has resulted in millions of people experiencing long COVID condition, a range of persistent symptoms following the acute phase, with an estimated prevalence of 27%–64%.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
To understand its pathophysiology, we conducted a longitudinal study on viral load and cytokine dynamics in individuals with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. We used reverse transcriptase droplet digital PCR to quantify viral RNA from nasopharyngeal swabs and employed multiplex technology to measure plasma cytokine levels in a cohort of people with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our study included individuals with long COVID condition and those without, all of whom had at least three nasopharyngeal and plasma samples collected within 55 days after diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
RESULTS
Individuals affected with long COVID symptoms had delayed viral clearance and lower viral loads at diagnosis compared to those without symptoms. Additionally, cytokine analysis revealed variations in IL-18, MIG, and IP-10 levels, with delayed normalization in individuals affected by long COVID syndrome. Correlation analysis indicated associations between viral load and IP-10 and interrelations among cytokines IL-1β, IL-18, MIG, and IP-10.
CONCLUSION
Our study provides insights into the association between nasopharyngeal viral load, cytokine dynamics, and the development of long COVID syndrome, providing an early signature of this condition.
Link | PDF (Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses) [Open Access]
Jacobo Alonso Domínguez; Inés Martínez Barros; Irene Viéitez; Mercedes Peleteiro; Beatriz Calderón-Cruz; José A. González-Nóvoa; Alexandre Pérez González; Virginia Leiro Fernández; Aida López López; Eva Poveda López
BACKGROUND
The global pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has resulted in millions of people experiencing long COVID condition, a range of persistent symptoms following the acute phase, with an estimated prevalence of 27%–64%.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
To understand its pathophysiology, we conducted a longitudinal study on viral load and cytokine dynamics in individuals with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. We used reverse transcriptase droplet digital PCR to quantify viral RNA from nasopharyngeal swabs and employed multiplex technology to measure plasma cytokine levels in a cohort of people with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our study included individuals with long COVID condition and those without, all of whom had at least three nasopharyngeal and plasma samples collected within 55 days after diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
RESULTS
Individuals affected with long COVID symptoms had delayed viral clearance and lower viral loads at diagnosis compared to those without symptoms. Additionally, cytokine analysis revealed variations in IL-18, MIG, and IP-10 levels, with delayed normalization in individuals affected by long COVID syndrome. Correlation analysis indicated associations between viral load and IP-10 and interrelations among cytokines IL-1β, IL-18, MIG, and IP-10.
CONCLUSION
Our study provides insights into the association between nasopharyngeal viral load, cytokine dynamics, and the development of long COVID syndrome, providing an early signature of this condition.
Link | PDF (Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses) [Open Access]