by A recent study conducted by researchers aimed to investigate the potential association between dysregulation of the complement cascade and the development of long-COVID. The researchers analyzed plasma samples from individuals with long-COVID and compared them to controls who had previously experienced severe SARS-CoV-2 infection but did not develop long-COVID. The analysis revealed significant differences in the complement pathways between the two groups, indicating the possibility of using specific biomarkers to predict the presence and outcome of long-COVID. In fact, the researchers found that testing for just four clinically traceable biomarkers could predict the occurrence of long-COVID with an accuracy of 78.5%.
Long-COVID, characterized by persistent COVID-19-like symptoms that last for 12 or more weeks after acute infection, has posed significant challenges for disease diagnosis and prediction. The condition has a profound impact on the quality of life of affected individuals, resulting in work absences and socioeconomic losses. Studies have estimated that around 41-45% of all COVID-19 patients experience some form of long-COVID, with global estimates exceeding 313 million patients. Furthermore, more than 40% of patients report symptoms persisting for two or more years. However, diagnosing long-COVID is currently based on patient-reported symptoms, and no clinical diagnostic test has been established to date. Various hypotheses have been proposed to explain the mechanisms underlying long-COVID, including viral persistence, coagulation defects, and immune dysregulation. However, conclusive evidence to support these hypotheses is still lacking.
Recent research has indicated that persistent inflammation is a common characteristic among individuals with long-COVID. This inflammation is associated with dysregulation of the complement system, which is also observed in other diseases, including severe COVID-19. Elevated levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and proinflammatory cytokines are clinically indicative of complement system dysregulation. It is theorized that dysregulation of the complement system may play a role in the pathogenesis of long-COVID and could potentially serve as a predictive marker for the disease in individuals with acute SARS-CoV-2 infection.
The study involved a cohort of convalescent controls and long-COVID patients, matched for various factors such as age, ethnicity, infection severity, gender, and vaccination type. Plasma samples from the participants were analyzed using immunoassays to identify and quantify complement proteins, regulators, and activation products. The researchers found significant dysregulation of complement components in long-COVID patients compared to controls. Specifically, markers of complement activation across classical, terminal, and alternative pathways were found to be upregulated in long-COVID patients. Additionally, plasma complement components, such as C3, C4, C5, and C9, were found to have elevated concentrations in long-COVID cases, indicating inflammation via positive phase reaction upregulation.
The most significant finding of the study was the identification of four critical complement biomarkers (Ba, iC3b, C5a, and TCC) that could predict the occurrence of long-COVID with an accuracy of 78.5%. These biomarkers were easily measurable in a clinical setting, making them suitable for future diagnostic tests. Although C11NH was found to have the highest individual prediction accuracy, it was also detected in plasma samples from convalescent controls up to 21 days following discharge, limiting its use as an isolated biomarker.
This study provides valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying long-COVID and presents a potential tool for diagnosing and predicting the disease. The identification of easily measurable biomarkers opens up possibilities for the development of diagnostic tests that can help identify individuals at risk of developing long-COVID. Furthermore, these findings may contribute to the development of therapeutic interventions for individuals already suffering from long-COVID.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
Money Singh is a seasoned content writer with over four years of experience in the market research sector. Her expertise spans various industries, including food and beverages, biotechnology, chemical and materials, defense and aerospace, consumer goods, etc.
