• News
  • Health
    • Injury
    • Trauma

Long COVID - Blood Protein Signatures Can Predict This

19.8KShares
264.1KViews

Long COVID is characterized by symptoms that appear about three months after catching SARS-CoV-2 and that no other diagnosis can account for, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

According to research, although hospitalized patients are more likely to have long COVID, 36% of outpatients who do not have a clinically serious infection can still get it.

Another study contends that the long COVID and impairment brought on by the emergence of COVID-19 may account for up to 30% of the SARS-CoV-2 health burden.

Researchers and medical professionals may be able to lower the risk of acquiring COVID and provide more effective treatment if they are aware of how long the condition takes to develop. A study comparing blood samples from healthcare professionals who had the SARS-CoV-2 virus and those who did not was recently released.

Long COVID Blood Protein ‘Signatures'

COPYRIGHT_SPINE: Published on https://spinal-injury.net/long-covid/ by Dr. Bill Butcher on 2022-10-06T10:19:10.011Z

New blood test could provide answers for long COVID patients

A total of 102 healthcare professionals without COVID-19 and 54 healthcare professionals with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis were recruited for the study. All participants were enrolled at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, and all cases were deemed to be "non-severe."

For up to 16 weeks, participants completed weekly assessments using questionnaires and blood sample collection. They later completed symptom questionnaires six and twelve months following the study's start.

The analysis of the data revealed that, in comparison to those who tested negative for SARS-CoV-2, those who tested positive had higher levels of 12 proteins related to oxidative stress, metabolic reprogramming, and cell adhesion, which promote cellular contact.

They also discovered that the correlation between protein levels and illness severity increased as protein levels rose.

Additionally, the researchers found that aberrant protein levels in 20 proteins could predict the occurrence of protracted COVID. A few of these proteins have anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant properties.

Other predicted proteins included those involved in red blood cell synthesis and elevated iron levels, which have been connected to greater tissue damage from oxidative stress and weakened immunity in the past.

According to the researchers, non-severe SARS-CoV-2 changes blood proteins, and blood protein levels may be able to predict long COVID risk.

Research Is Still On Going

But there is still a long way to go. The preprint, which focuses mostly on female COVID patients who were diagnosed at the same institution over a long period of time, is still undergoing peer review.

Additionally, for individuals with short-term COVID, blood samples were not available to the researchers for longer than five months following the initial COVID infection.

In order to confirm the findings, blood samples from a larger, more representative group of COVID victims will need to be analyzed and compared with blood samples from COVID survivors who have fully recovered that were taken months or years after their first infection.

Swank and her co-authors intend to expand their study to hundreds of people in the future using blood samples gathered throughout the pandemic from various hospitals.

What This Means In Treating Long COVID?

It is too early, according to Dr. Heywood, to discuss practical applications.

We cannot make something better until we can measure a biomarker as an outcome. Laboratory-based changes in biomarkers can be more reliable indicators of response to treatment than asking how a patient feels. This will be important in monitoring the success of any trials of new therapeutics. Being able to identify people with a pre-disposition to developing long COVID early on could help us test new interventional treatments on the right people.”

- Dr. Wendy Heywood

The results, according to Dr. Johannes, are unlikely to have an immediate impact on how long COVID is managed, but if they are confirmed and validated in a bigger study, they might result in a test that can identify people who are most likely to acquire long COVID.

Dr. Hawkinson continued by saying that the findings might one day be utilized to help clinicians decide how or when to start prescribing medications like antivirals and anti-inflammatory drugs following the diagnosis of COVID-19.

For instance, maybe using Paxlovid early on for even young vaccinated patients may reduce risk of these persistent symptoms even though we have substantial data to support the fact that young, vaccinated patients do not have the significant benefit of hospitalization risk reduction that older patients have when using Paxlovi.

- Dr. Hawkinson

Conclusion

The British Heart Foundation, the Barts Charity, the National Institute for Health and Care Research Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, and the University College London Biological Mass Spectrometry Centre (BMSC) all provided funding for the study.

Researchers and medical professionals may be able to lower the risk of acquiring COVID and provide more effective treatment if they are aware of how long the condition takes to develop. Within six weeks of developing SARS-CoV-2, they discovered that blood protein levels might predict the long COVID.

Share: Twitter | Facebook | Linkedin

About The Authors

Dr. Bill Butcher

Dr. Bill Butcher - With more than two decades of experience, Dr. Bill Butcher aims to provide a repository for educational materials, sources of information, details of forthcoming events, and original articles related to the medical field and about health subjects that matter to you. His goal is to help make your life better, to help you find your way when faced with healthcare decisions, and to help you feel better about your health and that of your family. Bill received his medical degree at Boston University School of Medicine and spent his entire career helping people find the health and medical information, support, and services they need. His mission is to help millions of people feel fantastic by restoring them to optimal health.

Recent Articles

  • Synthes Va Ankle Trauma Inventory

    Trauma

    Synthes Va Ankle Trauma Inventory

    "Synthes VA Ankle Trauma Inventory" is a comprehensive assessment tool designed to evaluate the functional status of individuals who have experienced ankle trauma. The tool is specifically designed for use in the assessment and rehabilitation of individuals who have undergone surgery for ankle trauma. The "Synthes VA Ankle Trauma Inventory" is an important tool for medical professionals who are involved in the care and treatment of individuals with ankle trauma.

  • Synthes Ankle Trauma Inventory - A Comprehensive Approach To Ankle Trauma Management

    Trauma

    Synthes Ankle Trauma Inventory - A Comprehensive Approach To Ankle Trauma Management

    Ankle trauma is a common injury that affects individuals of all ages and can result in significant pain and disability. The Synthes Ankle Trauma Inventory (SATI) is a comprehensive approach to the management of ankle trauma, designed to provide the necessary resources to address the specific needs of patients with ankle injuries. The SATI is a collaboration between Synthes, a leading provider of medical devices and solutions, and leading ankle trauma experts.

  • Dealcoholization In Tissue Processing - Ensuring Accurate Tissue Analysis

    Health

    Dealcoholization In Tissue Processing - Ensuring Accurate Tissue Analysis

    Dealcoholization in tissue processing refers to the removal of alcohol from biological samples during the tissue preparation process. This technique is critical in ensuring accurate and reliable analysis results, as the presence of alcohol can interfere with various molecular and cellular assays.

  • Unscramble Trauma - A Journey To Healing

    Trauma

    Unscramble Trauma - A Journey To Healing

    Trauma is a difficult and complex experience that can leave an individual feeling disoriented and shattered. Unscramble trauma refers to the process of making sense of a traumatic event, coming to terms with its impact, and learning to live with its aftermath. It is a journey of self-discovery, healing, and growth that requires courage, resilience, and support.

  • What Is Dealcoholization Of Wine And What Are Its Benefits For Health?

    Health

    What Is Dealcoholization Of Wine And What Are Its Benefits For Health?

    Dealcoholization of wine is the process of getting rid of all or part of the wine's ethanol, which is what most people call the alcohol in wine. Aside from being alcohol-free, it may have a distinct flavor and aroma.

  • Most Common Injuries In Medicine

    Injury

    Most Common Injuries In Medicine

    For some common injuries, personal injury therapy is enough, and you don't need to do much else. On the other hand, some injuries, even if they don't seem serious, need help right away.

  • Energy Healing For Spinal Cord Injuries

    Injury

    Energy Healing For Spinal Cord Injuries

    Energy healing is a traditional way to heal that restores the balance and flow of energy throughout the body, mind, and spirit and can help you with a spinal injury.

  • The Importance Of Accessibility In Preventing Injuries And Promoting Inclusivity In Building Design

    Injury

    The Importance Of Accessibility In Preventing Injuries And Promoting Inclusivity In Building Design

    Accessibility not only promotes inclusivity but also plays a significant role in preventing injuries. In this article, we will explore the importance of accesibility in preventing injuries.

  • Meet The Richest Doctors Across The World

    Health

    Meet The Richest Doctors Across The World

    Most doctors make a good living, but it takes time to get good at what they do, build a good reputation, and move up to the big leagues. Find out who the richest doctors in the world are in different fields of medicine by reading on.

  • Healing Crystals For Spinal Cord Injuries

  • The Worst Injuries Ever In Soccer And The Players Who Almost Finished Their Careers For Them

  • Famous People With Spinal Cord Injuries - Everyone Can Suffer A Spinal Injury

  • The FAST Examination - Focused Assessment With Sonography In Trauma

  • BarbComa AKA Barbiturate Coma - Important Details