Persistent Autoimmune Activation and Proinflammatory State in Post-Coronavirus Disease 2019 Syndrome.
J Infect Dis
; 225(12): 2155-2162, 2022 06 15.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1713676
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The immunopathological pathways enabling post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) syndrome (PCS) development are not entirely known. We underwent a longitudinal analysis of patients with COVID-19 who developed PCS aiming to evaluate the autoimmune and immunological status associated with this condition.METHODS:
Thirty-three patients were included for longitudinal clinical and autoantibody analyses, 12 of whom were assessed for cytokines and lymphocyte populations. Patients were followed for 7-11 months after acute COVID-19. Autoimmune profile and immunological statuses were evaluated mainly by enzyme-linked-immunosorbent assays and flow cytometry.RESULTS:
Latent autoimmunity and overt autoimmunity persisted over time. A proinflammatory state was observed in patients with PCS characterized by up-regulated interferon-α, tumor necrosis factor-α, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), interleukin (IL)-17A, IL-6, IL-1ß, and IL-13, whereas interferon-γ-induced protein 10 (IP-10) was decreased. In addition, PCS was characterized by increased levels of Th9, CD8+ effector T cells, naive B cells, and CD4+ effector memory T cells. Total levels of immunoglobulin G S1-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies remained elevated over time.CONCLUSIONS:
The clinical manifestations of PCS are associated with the persistence of a proinflammatory and effector phenotype induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection. This long-term persistent immune activation may contribute to the development of latent and overt autoimmunity. Results suggest the need to evaluate the role of immunomodulation in the treatment of PCS.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Autoimmunity
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Experimental Studies
/
Prognostic study
Topics:
Long Covid
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
J Infect Dis
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Infdis
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