Persistent Gut-Immune Axis dysregulation in long-term Post-COVID Syndrome: Insights from a prospective, observational, cross-sectional case-control study - PubMed
4 days ago
- #Post-COVID syndrome
- #Viral persistence
- #Gut-Immune Axis
- Post-COVID syndrome (PCS) affects individuals even after mild SARS-CoV-2 infection.
- Study investigates viral protein persistence in gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) and its link to PCS.
- PCS+ individuals show increased mast cell activity, elevated zonulin levels, and compromised gut barrier function.
- Higher SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein expression found in the terminal ileum of PCS+ patients.
- Alterations in immune cell populations include expanded plasmacytoid dendritic cells and changes in NK cell subsets.
- Central memory T-cells in PCS+ patients show low PD-1 expression.
- Elevated MMP-9 levels indicate gut inflammation and tissue remodeling.
- Findings suggest the gut-immune axis as a key driver of PCS.
- Therapeutic strategies targeting viral persistence and gut immune homeostasis are supported.