Molecular mimicry, hyperactive immune system, and SARS-COV-2 are three prerequisites of the autoimmune disease triangle following COVID-19 infection.

SARS-CoV-2 infection can produce a variety of clinical manifestations, which are either directly related to viral tissue damage or indirectly induced by the antiviral immune response. Molecular mimicry enables this virus to undermine self-tolerance in a host's immune system also immune system's attempts to eliminate SARS-COV-2 may trigger autoimmunity by hyper-activating the innate and adaptive immune systems. Auto immune diseases include Systemic lupus erythematosus, autoimmune thyroid diseases, Guillain-Barre syndrome, Immune thrombocytopenic purpura, and the detection of autoantibodies are the cues to the discovery of the potential of COVID-19 in inducing autoimmunity. As COVID-19 and autoimmune diseases share a common pathogenesis, autoimmune drugs may be an effective treatment option. Susceptible patients must be monitored for autoimmune symptoms after contracting CVID-19. In light of the SARS-COV-2 virus' ability to induce autoimmunity in susceptible patients, will the various COVID-19 vaccines that are the only way to end the pandemic induce autoimmunity?

A long COVID patient and their experience of osteopathic care: A case report

Background Long COVID is an emerging syndrome that is poorly understood in terms of aetiology, symptom picture, treatment and prognosis. Objectives This case report contributes a twelve-month history of a female patient's experience of Long COVID and her motivation for, experience of and response to osteopathic care. The decision to write a case report was made retrospectively, with some attempt made at symptom quantification but with no numeric data on outcomes. Clinical features The patient's mental symptoms included brain fog and loss of agency, while physical symptoms included chest heaviness, fatigue and breathing difficulty. During the study year the patient suffered bereavements and dental health issues in addition to Long COVID. Intervention and outcomes The osteopath found that dysautonomia, dysfunction of the thoracic diaphragm and endothelial activation underlay the symptom picture. Osteopathic care included OMT, support and reassurance, leading to a greater sense of wellbeing and reduction in symptoms. Conclusions The possible role of immune hyperactivity in the aetiology of Long COVID is discussed. The role of the osteopath as ‘health coach’ as well as hands on therapist is reviewed. Further research is required to determine the benefits of osteopathic care in this population. Informed consent was obtained from the patient for this report to be published (form supplied to the publisher). They have read the report and contributed the section headed Patient Perspective.