Persistent Immune Cell Activity and SARS-CoV-2 RNA Traces in Organs of Individuals with Long COVID: Insights from UCSF and CellSight Technologies Studies
Researchers found abnormal T cell activity in brain stem, spinal cord, bone marrow, nose and throat, heart and lung tissue (including pulmonary artery walls), some lymph nodes, and the wall of the gut in recovered COVID-19 patients.
SARS-CoV-2 RNA was identified in rectosigmoid tissue of five individuals with long COVID up to 676 days after their initial infection.
UCSF and CellSight Technologies studies reveal persistent immune cell activity and SARS-CoV-2 RNA traces in organs of individuals with long COVID for up to two years after infection.
In a series of studies, researchers from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and CellSight Technologies have discovered that individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 may exhibit persistent immune cell activity and traces of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in various organs for up to two years after infection. These findings provide insight into the long-term effects of COVID-19, which can include symptoms such as brain fog, heart issues, lung problems, and gastrointestinal distress.
One study published in Science Translational Medicine analyzed PET scans of 24 individuals who had recovered from COVID-19. The researchers found that many of these patients showed abnormal T cell activity in their brain stem, spinal cord, bone marrow, nose and throat, heart and lung tissue (including pulmonary artery walls), some lymph nodes, and the wall of the gut. This immune cell activation was not present in prepandemic control groups.
Another study published in Science Translational Medicine identified SARS-CoV-2 RNA in rectosigmoid tissue of five individuals with long COVID up to 676 days after their initial infection. These findings suggest that the virus may persist in deeper tissues and contribute to ongoing immune dysregulation.
These studies add to the growing body of evidence that long COVID is a complex condition with far-reaching effects on various organs and systems in the body. Further research is needed to fully understand its underlying mechanisms and develop effective treatments.
UCSF study reveals abnormal T cell activity in various organs of COVID-19 patients through PET scans
Long COVID symptoms include persistent T cell activation in the brain stem, spinal cord, bone marrow, nose, throat, heart and lung tissue, some lymph nodes,
and the wall of the gut
Even individuals who fully recovered from COVID-19 still show persistent changes to their T cell activity in numerous organs compared to pre-pandemic controls,
up to 2.5 years after infection
Long COVID is associated with the persistence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in deeper tissues and abnormal immune activity
Long COVID symptoms can include issues in heart, brain, lungs, skin, kidneys,
liver, spleen,
throat and ovaries
Accuracy
Long COVID symptoms include persistent T cell activation in the brain stem, spinal cord, bone marrow, nose, throat, heart and lung tissue, some lymph nodes, and the wall of the gut
Even individuals who fully recovered from COVID-19 still show persistent changes to their T cell activity in numerous organs compared to pre-pandemic controls
Long COVID is associated with the persistence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in deeper tissues and abnormal immune activity
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(90%)
The article does not commit any formal fallacies. However, it contains some inflammatory rhetoric and appeals to authority. The author uses strong language such as 'long COVID is a brutal illness without a known mechanism or cure' and 'lingering toll the SARS-CoV-2 virus exacts on the immune system is widespread and hiding in plain sight'. Additionally, there are several instances of appeals to authority, such as referencing studies from UCSF, CellSight Technologies, and Kaiser Permanente South San Francisco Medical Center. The author also cites previous research on biomarkers and autopsies without providing their own analysis or interpretation.
long COVID is a brutal illness without a known mechanism or cure
lingering toll the SARS-CoV-2 virus exacts on the immune system is widespread and hiding in plain sight
referencing studies from UCSF, CellSight Technologies, and Kaiser Permanente South San Francisco Medical Center
A small study in Science Translational Medicine found that people with long COVID had certain tissues enriched for activated T cells in comparison with never-infected people.
Five of the patients with long COVID had SARS-CoV-2 RNA in their colorectal biopsies.
Accuracy
SARS-CoV-2 RNA identified in rectosigmoid tissue of individuals with Long COVID up to 676 days after infection.
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(95%)
The article contains an appeal to authority and inflammatory rhetoric. It also uses a dichotomous depiction of COVID-19 as a transient acute infection versus a long-term condition with persistent immune activation.
. . . the gut was one of the sites of activated T-cell enrichment, the scientists analyzed colorectal biopsies from five of the patients with long COVID. All five of these samples contained SARS-CoV-2 RNA.
. . . this T-cell activation correlated with symptoms of long COVID. For example, people who reported persistent lung problems had stronger signs of T-cell immune activation in their lungs.
The public health department for Seattle and King County this week said it is investigating a measles case involving an adult who had recently traveled internationally and warned of possible exposures at multiple area locations that the patient visited before the illness was confirmed.
Study found higher tracer uptake in many regions including brain stem, spinal cord, bone marrow, nasopharyngeal and hilar lymphoid tissue, cardiopulmonary tissues, and gut wall in post-acute COVID-19 group compared to prepandemic controls.
T cell activation in the spinal cord and gut wall was associated with the presence of long covid symptoms.
Intracellular SARS-CoV-2 single-stranded spike protein-encoding RNA found in rectosigmoid lamina propria tissue of all five participants and double-stranded spike protein-encoding RNA found in three participants up to 676 days after initial COVID-19 infection.
Study suggests that tissue viral persistence could be associated with long-term immunologic perturbations.
