Using Blood As a Way to Understand Long COVID

In the web of long COVID, where symptoms persist long after the initial infection has passed, the search for answers has remained elusive. But a groundbreaking study published in Science on Thursday offers a glimmer of hope, unveiling potential biomarkers that could pave the way for a diagnostic test and future therapeutic targets. Long COVID, a condition affecting 5 to 20 percent of COVID-19 survivors, manifests in many symptoms, ranging from brain fog to joint pain. This presents a diagnostic challenge for medical professionals.

Unlike diseases with distinct biomarkers, long COVID defies easy classification, encompassing a spectrum of diverse symptoms and triggers. This complexity underscores the urgent need for improved diagnostics and treatments, a sentiment echoed by researchers like Akiko Iwasaki of Yale University, who view the investigation of long COVID as paramount due to the widespread suffering it inflicts.

Illuminating Research

The discovery of these biomarkers, gathered from a comprehensive analysis of over 6,500 proteins, marks a significant breakthrough in the quest to unravel the mysteries of long COVID. Carlo Cervia-Hasler, leading the study, expressed surprise at the striking differences in complement proteins but noted their potential connection to prevailing hypotheses surrounding the disease's origins, including viral reservoirs, persistent inflammation, and autoimmune responses.

Abnormalities in immune proteins were also found circulating in the blood, hinting at chronic inflammation as a driving force behind the disease's persistence. Simultaneously, studies by virologist Nadia Roan at the University of California, San Francisco, shed light on the role of exhausted T cells and lingering viral reservoirs in perpetuating symptoms, offering new avenues for targeted therapies.

What’s Next?

Further and expanded trials are projected, aimed at delving deeper into the intricacies uncovered and extending the observation period beyond the initial COVID-19 infection to comprehend its evolution over time. Caution is urged against overreliance on a singular biomarker for diagnosis resulting from these trials, given their inherent variability. Experts such as Cervia-Hesler maintain optimism regarding the trajectory, anticipating a convergence towards the development of diagnostic tools and therapeutic interventions. He eagerly anticipates witnessing the evolving research landscape and is hopeful for swift advancements towards tangible solutions to alleviate the burden of long COVID.

Akiko Iwasaki, a researcher specializing in immunology and serving as an investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute at Yale University, and her team are in the final stages of recruiting 100 individuals with long COVID for a randomized clinical trial investigating the antiviral drug Paxlovid. At the same time, the National Institutes of Health are also preparing a similar trial, aiming to enroll 900 participants, with testing expected to conclude by this summer.

The core idea behind both trials is rooted in the idea that SARS-CoV-2 persists in the body, triggering lingering symptoms. Participants will undergo treatment with Paxlovid for either 15 or 25 days, with close monitoring of their response. Iwasaki's team intends to analyze participants' blood for molecules that may predict their response to Paxlovid, potentially identifying individuals who would benefit most from the drug. While acknowledging that there is no one-size-fits-all solution, Iwasaki emphasizes the importance of identifying those who stand to benefit from treatment.

Tips For Journalists Reporting on Long COVID and its Trials

As journalists, reporting on groundbreaking trials investigating long COVID requires a delicate balance between scientific accuracy and accessible storytelling to effectively convey the significance of these endeavors. Providing background information on long COVID is a good place to start, explaining its prevalence, symptoms, and impact on survivors. This sets the stage for readers to understand the importance of the research being conducted. 

Reaching out to the scientists leading the trials for insights into their methodology, findings, and implications would also be helpful and break down complex scientific concepts for the reader. Patient perspectives are a great addition too, including anecdotes or quotes from individuals living with long COVID to humanize the story and illustrate the real-world impact of the research. Their experiences can help readers connect emotionally with the topic. 

By incorporating these elements into their reporting journalists can effectively communicate the significance of trials investigating long COVID while empowering readers to grasp the complexities of the research and its potential implications for individuals and society.