Persistent changes to the nasal ciliated epithelium following SARS-CoV2 infection: a longitudinal cohort analysis from FOLLOW-COVID

S55 Figure 1Transmission Electron Micrographs of ciliated epithelial cells 3months- 1 year post-COVID. Red circles represent microtubular subunits assembling during ciliogenesis, the white arrow shows short regenerating cilia. Yellow boxes surround intracytoplasmic cilia seen in 90% post COVID cases and suggestive of a defect in ciliogenesis[Figure omitted. See PDF]ConclusionEpithelial disruption and defects in epithelial regeneration persist for up to 1 year post infection with SARS-CoV-2, irrespective of initial illness severity. Persisting inflammation, or a failure of repair, are possible pathological processes for further exploration.