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Preiss A, Bhatia A, Aragon LV, Baratta JM, Baskaran M, Blancero F, Brannock MD, Chew RF, Diaz I, Fitzgerald M, Kelly EP, Zhou AG, Carton TW, Chute CG, Haendel M, Moffitt R, Pfaff E. Effect of Paxlovid Treatment During Acute COVID-19 on Long COVID Onset: An EHR-Based Target Trial Emulation from the N3C and RECOVER Consortia. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.01.20.24301525. [PMID: 38343863 PMCID: PMC10854326 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.20.24301525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Preventing and treating post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), commonly known as Long COVID, has become a public health priority. In this study, we examined whether treatment with Paxlovid in the acute phase of COVID-19 helps prevent the onset of PASC. We used electronic health records from the National Covid Cohort Collaborative (N3C) to define a cohort of 426,352 patients who had COVID-19 since April 1, 2022, and were eligible for Paxlovid treatment due to risk for progression to severe COVID-19. We used the target trial emulation (TTE) framework to estimate the effect of Paxlovid treatment on PASC incidence. We estimated overall PASC incidence using a computable phenotype. We also measured the onset of novel cognitive, fatigue, and respiratory symptoms in the post-acute period. Paxlovid treatment did not have a significant effect on overall PASC incidence (relative risk [RR] = 0.98, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.95-1.01). However, it had a protective effect on cognitive (RR = 0.90, 95% CI 0.84-0.96) and fatigue (RR = 0.95, 95% CI 0.91-0.98) symptom clusters, which suggests that the etiology of these symptoms may be more closely related to viral load than that of respiratory symptoms.
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Karaba AH, Swank Z, Hussain S, Chahoud M, Durand CM, Segev DL, Robien MA, Heeger PS, Larsen CP, Tobian AAR, Walt DR, Werbel WA. Detectable plasma severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 spike antigen is associated with poor antibody response following third messenger RNA vaccination in kidney transplant recipients. Transpl Infect Dis 2024; 26:e14281. [PMID: 38618895 DOI: 10.1111/tid.14281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) generate lower antibody responses to messenger RNA (mRNA)-based severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination, yet precise mechanisms for this poor response remain uncertain. One potential contributor is suboptimal spike antigen (sAg) translation and expression owing to transplant immunosuppression, which might lead to insufficient exposure to develop humoral and/or cellular immune responses. METHODS Within a single-arm clinical trial, 65 KTRs underwent ultrasensitive plasma sAg testing before, and 3 and 14 days after, the third mRNA vaccine doses. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike antibodies (anti-receptor binding domain [anti-RBD]) were serially measured at 14 and 30 days post-vaccination. Associations between sAg detection and clinical factors were assessed. Day 30 anti-RBD titer was compared among those with versus without sAg expression using Wilcoxon rank sum testing. RESULTS Overall, 16 (25%) KTRs were sAg positive (sAg+) after vaccination, peaking at day 3. Clinical and laboratory factors were broadly similar in sAg(+) versus sAg(-) KTRs. sAg(+) status was significantly negatively associated with day 30 anti-RBD response, with median (interquartile range) 10.8 (<0.4-338.3) U/mL if sAg(+) versus 709 (10.5-2309.5) U/mL if sAg(-) (i.e., 66-fold lower; p = .01). CONCLUSION Inadequate plasma sAg does not likely drive poor antibody responses in KTRs, rather sAg detection implies insufficient immune response to rapidly clear vaccine antigen from blood. Other downstream mechanisms such as sAg trafficking and presentation should be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew H Karaba
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Zoe Swank
- Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sarah Hussain
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Margaret Chahoud
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Christine M Durand
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Dorry L Segev
- Department of Surgery, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Mark A Robien
- Transplantation Branch, Division of Allergy Immunology and Transplantation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Peter S Heeger
- Department of Medicine, Comprehensive Transplant Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | | | - Aaron A R Tobian
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - David R Walt
- Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - William A Werbel
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Horowitz RI, Fallon J, Freeman PR. Combining Double-Dose and High-Dose Pulsed Dapsone Combination Therapy for Chronic Lyme Disease/Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome and Co-Infections, Including Bartonella: A Report of 3 Cases and a Literature Review. Microorganisms 2024; 12:909. [PMID: 38792737 PMCID: PMC11124288 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12050909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Three patients with relapsing and remitting borreliosis, babesiosis, and bartonellosis, despite extended anti-infective therapy, were prescribed double-dose dapsone combination therapy (DDDCT) for 8 weeks, followed by one or several two-week courses of pulsed high-dose dapsone combination therapy (HDDCT). We discuss these patients' cases to illustrate three important variables required for long-term remission. First, diagnosing and treating active co-infections, including Babesia and Bartonella were important. Babesia required rotations of multiple anti-malarial drug combinations and herbal therapies, and Bartonella required one or several 6-day HDDCT pulses to achieve clinical remission. Second, all prior oral, intramuscular (IM), and/or intravenous (IV) antibiotics used for chronic Lyme disease (CLD)/post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS), irrespective of the length of administration, were inferior in efficacy to short-term pulsed biofilm/persister drug combination therapy i.e., dapsone, rifampin, methylene blue, and pyrazinamide, which improved resistant fatigue, pain, headaches, insomnia, and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Lastly, addressing multiple factors on the 16-point multiple systemic infectious disease syndrome (MSIDS) model was important in achieving remission. In conclusion, DDDCT with one or several 6-7-day pulses of HDDCT, while addressing abnormalities on the 16-point MSIDS map, could represent a novel effective clinical and anti-infective strategy in CLD/PTLDS and associated co-infections including Bartonella.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard I. Horowitz
- New York State Department of Health Tick-Borne Working Group, Albany, NY 12224, USA
- Hudson Valley Healing Arts Center, Hyde Park, NY 12538, USA; (J.F.); (P.R.F.)
| | - John Fallon
- Hudson Valley Healing Arts Center, Hyde Park, NY 12538, USA; (J.F.); (P.R.F.)
| | - Phyllis R. Freeman
- Hudson Valley Healing Arts Center, Hyde Park, NY 12538, USA; (J.F.); (P.R.F.)
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4
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El-Baky NA, Amara AA, Uversky VN, Redwan EM. Intrinsic factors behind long COVID: III. Persistence of SARS-CoV-2 and its components. J Cell Biochem 2024; 125:22-44. [PMID: 38098317 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.30514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Considerable research has been done in investigating SARS-CoV-2 infection, its characteristics, and host immune response. However, debate is still ongoing over the emergence of post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC). A multitude of long-lasting symptoms have been reported several weeks after the primary acute SARS-CoV-2 infection that resemble several other viral infections. Thousands of research articles have described various post-COVID-19 conditions. Yet, the evidence around these ongoing health problems, the reasons behind them, and their molecular underpinnings are scarce. These persistent symptoms are also known as long COVID-19. The persistence of SARS-CoV-2 and/or its components in host tissues can lead to long COVID. For example, the presence of viral nucleocapsid protein and RNA was detected in the skin, appendix, and breast tissues of some long COVID patients. The persistence of viral RNA was reported in multiple anatomic sites, including non-respiratory tissues such as the adrenal gland, ocular tissue, small intestine, lymph nodes, myocardium, and sciatic nerve. Distinctive viral spike sequence variants were also found in non-respiratory tissues. Interestingly, prolonged detection of viral subgenomic RNA was observed across all tissues, sometimes in multiple tissues of the same patient, which likely reflects recent but defective viral replication. Moreover, the persistence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA was noticed throughout the brain at autopsy, as late as 230 days following symptom onset among unvaccinated patients who died of severe infection. Here, we review the persistence of SARS-CoV-2 and its components as an intrinsic factor behind long COVID. We also highlight the immunological consequences of this viral persistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nawal Abd El-Baky
- Protein Research Department, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute (GEBRI), City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications (SRTA-City), New Borg El-Arab City, Egypt
| | - Amro A Amara
- Protein Research Department, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute (GEBRI), City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications (SRTA-City), New Borg El-Arab City, Egypt
| | - Vladimir N Uversky
- Department of Molecular Medicine, USF Health Byrd Alzheimer's Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Elrashdy M Redwan
- Biological Sciences Department, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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5
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Durstenfeld MS, Peluso MJ, Lin F, Peyser ND, Isasi C, Carton TW, Henrich TJ, Deeks SG, Olgin JE, Pletcher MJ, Beatty AL, Marcus GM, Hsue PY. Association of nirmatrelvir for acute SARS-CoV-2 infection with subsequent Long COVID symptoms in an observational cohort study. J Med Virol 2024; 96:e29333. [PMID: 38175151 PMCID: PMC10786003 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Oral nirmatrelvir/ritonavir is approved as treatment for acute COVID-19, but the effect of treatment during acute infection on risk of Long COVID is unknown. We hypothesized that nirmatrelvir treatment during acute SARS-CoV-2 infection reduces risk of developing Long COVID and rebound after treatment is associated with Long COVID. We conducted an observational cohort study within the Covid Citizen Science (CCS) study, an online cohort study with over 100 000 participants. We included vaccinated, nonhospitalized, nonpregnant individuals who reported their first SARS-CoV-2 positive test March-August 2022. Oral nirmatrelvir/ritonavir treatment was ascertained during acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. Patient-reported Long COVID symptoms, symptom rebound and test-positivity rebound were asked on subsequent surveys at least 3 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection. A total of 4684 individuals met the eligibility criteria, of whom 988 (21.1%) were treated and 3696 (78.9%) were untreated; 353/988 (35.7%) treated and 1258/3696 (34.0%) untreated responded to the Long COVID survey (n = 1611). Among 1611 participants, median age was 55 years and 66% were female. At 5.4 ± 1.3 months after infection, nirmatrelvir treatment was not associated with subsequent Long COVID symptoms (odds ratio [OR]: 1.15; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.80-1.64; p = 0.45). Among 666 treated who answered rebound questions, rebound symptoms or test positivity were not associated with Long COVID symptoms (OR: 1.34; 95% CI: 0.74-2.41; p = 0.33). Within this cohort of vaccinated, nonhospitalized individuals, oral nirmatrelvir treatment during acute SARS-CoV-2 infection and rebound after nirmatrelvir treatment were not associated with Long COVID symptoms more than 90 days after infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew S. Durstenfeld
- Division of Cardiology at ZSFG and Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), USA
| | | | - Feng Lin
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, UCSF, USA
| | | | - Carmen Isasi
- Department of Epidemiology & Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
| | | | | | - Steven G. Deeks
- Division of HIV, Infectious Disease, & Global Medicine, UCSF, USA
| | | | | | - Alexis L. Beatty
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, UCSF, USA
| | | | - Priscilla Y. Hsue
- Division of Cardiology at ZSFG and Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), USA
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Sideratou CM, Papaneophytou C. Persisting Shadows: Unraveling the Impact of Long COVID-19 on Respiratory, Cardiovascular, and Nervous Systems. Infect Dis Rep 2023; 15:806-830. [PMID: 38131885 PMCID: PMC10742861 DOI: 10.3390/idr15060072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), instigated by the zoonotic Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), rapidly transformed from an outbreak in Wuhan, China, into a widespread global pandemic. A significant post-infection condition, known as 'long- COVID-19' (or simply 'long- COVID'), emerges in a substantial subset of patients, manifesting with a constellation of over 200 reported symptoms that span multiple organ systems. This condition, also known as 'post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection' (PASC), presents a perplexing clinical picture with far-reaching implications, often persisting long after the acute phase. While initial research focused on the immediate pulmonary impact of the virus, the recognition of COVID-19 as a multiorgan disruptor has unveiled a gamut of protracted and severe health issues. This review summarizes the primary effects of long COVID on the respiratory, cardiovascular, and nervous systems. It also delves into the mechanisms underlying these impacts and underscores the critical need for a comprehensive understanding of long COVID's pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christos Papaneophytou
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Life and Health Sciences, University of Nicosia, 2417 Nicosia, Cyprus;
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7
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Gu J, Liu Q, Zhang J, Xu S. COVID-19 and trained immunity: the inflammatory burden of long covid. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1294959. [PMID: 38090572 PMCID: PMC10713746 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1294959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe COVID-19 elicits excessive inflammation mediated by innate immune cells like monocytes. Recent evidence reveals extensive epigenetic changes in monocytes during recovery from severe COVID-19, including increased chromatin accessibility at genes related to cytokine production and leukocyte activation. These changes likely originate from the reprogramming of upstream hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) and represent "trained immunity". HSPC-to-monocyte transmission of epigenetic memory may explain the persistence of these monocyte alterations despite their short lifespan. IL-6 appears pivotal for imprinting durable epigenetic modifications in monocytes during acute infection, with IL-1β potentially playing a contributory role. The poised inflammatory phenotype of monocytes post-COVID-19 may drive chronic inflammation and tissue damage, contributing to post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 symptoms. COVID-19 could also exacerbate inflammation-related diseases, such multisystem inflammatory syndromes, by altering innate immune tendencies via hematopoietic epigenetic reprogramming. Further clinical investigations quantifying inflammatory mediators and mapping epigenetic changes in HSPCs/monocytes of recovering patients are warranted. Research should also examine whether COVID-19 elicits transgenerational inheritance of epigenetic alterations. Elucidating mechanisms underlying COVID-19-induced monocyte reprogramming and developing interventions targeting key inflammatory regulators like IL-6 may mitigate the sustained inflammatory burden imposed by the aberrant trained immunity post-COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jienan Gu
- Institute of Basic Theory for Chinese Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qianhui Liu
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiale Zhang
- Institute of Basic Theory for Chinese Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shijie Xu
- Institute of Basic Theory for Chinese Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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8
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Giraldo GSP, Ali ST, Kang AK, Patel TR, Budhiraja S, Gaelen JI, Lank GK, Clark JR, Mukherjee S, Singer T, Venkatesh A, Orban ZS, Lim PH, Jimenez M, Miller J, Taylor C, Szymanski AL, Scarpelli J, Graham EL, Balabanov RD, Barcelo BE, Cahan JG, Ruckman K, Shepard AG, Slutzky MW, LaFaver K, Kumthekar PU, Shetty NK, Carroll KS, Ho SU, Lukas RV, Batra A, Liotta EM, Koralnik IJ. Neurologic Manifestations of Long COVID Differ Based on Acute COVID-19 Severity. Ann Neurol 2023; 94:146-159. [PMID: 36966460 PMCID: PMC10724021 DOI: 10.1002/ana.26649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To characterize neurologic manifestations in post-hospitalization Neuro-PASC (PNP) and non-hospitalized Neuro-PASC (NNP) patients. METHODS Prospective study of the first 100 consecutive PNP and 500 NNP patients evaluated at a Neuro-COVID-19 clinic between 5/2020 and 8/2021. RESULTS PNP were older than NNP patients (mean 53.9 vs 44.9 y; p < 0.0001) with a higher prevalence of pre-existing comorbidities. An average 6.8 months from onset, the main neurologic symptoms were "brain fog" (81.2%), headache (70.3%), and dizziness (49.5%) with only anosmia, dysgeusia and myalgias being more frequent in the NNP compared to the PNP group (59 vs 39%, 57.6 vs 39% and 50.4 vs 33%, all p < 0.003). Moreover, 85.8% of patients experienced fatigue. PNP more frequently had an abnormal neurologic exam than NNP patients (62.2 vs 37%, p < 0.0001). Both groups had impaired quality of life in cognitive, fatigue, sleep, anxiety, and depression domains. PNP patients performed worse on processing speed, attention, and working memory tasks than NNP patients (T-score 41.5 vs 55, 42.5 vs 47 and 45.5 vs 49, all p < 0.001) and a US normative population. NNP patients had lower results in attention task only. Subjective impression of cognitive ability correlated with cognitive test results in NNP but not in PNP patients. INTERPRETATION PNP and NNP patients both experience persistent neurologic symptoms affecting their quality of life. However, they harbor significant differences in demographics, comorbidities, neurologic symptoms and findings, as well as pattern of cognitive dysfunction. Such differences suggest distinct etiologies of Neuro-PASC in these populations warranting targeted interventions. ANN NEUROL 2023;94:146-159.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gina S. Perez Giraldo
- Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Sareen T. Ali
- Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Anthony K. Kang
- Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Tulsi R. Patel
- Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Shreya Budhiraja
- Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Jordan I. Gaelen
- Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Grace K. Lank
- Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Jeffrey R. Clark
- Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Shreya Mukherjee
- Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Tracey Singer
- Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Aditi Venkatesh
- Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Zachary S. Orban
- Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Patrick H. Lim
- Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Millenia Jimenez
- Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Janet Miller
- Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Carolyn Taylor
- Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - April L Szymanski
- Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Jessica Scarpelli
- Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Edith L. Graham
- Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Roumen D. Balabanov
- Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Bianca E. Barcelo
- Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Joshua G. Cahan
- Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Kaitlyn Ruckman
- Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Alan G. Shepard
- Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Marc W. Slutzky
- Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Kathrin LaFaver
- Saratoga Hospital Medical Group, Neurology, Saratoga Springs, NY
| | - Priya U. Kumthekar
- Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Neil K. Shetty
- Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Katherine S. Carroll
- Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Sam U. Ho
- Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Rimas V. Lukas
- Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Ayush Batra
- Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Eric M. Liotta
- Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Igor J. Koralnik
- Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
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Visvabharathy L, Hanson BA, Orban ZS, Lim PH, Palacio NM, Jimenez M, Clark JR, Graham EL, Liotta EM, Tachas G, Penaloza-MacMaster P, Koralnik IJ. Neuro-PASC is characterized by enhanced CD4+ and diminished CD8+ T cell responses to SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid protein. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1155770. [PMID: 37313412 PMCID: PMC10258318 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1155770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Many people with long COVID symptoms suffer from debilitating neurologic post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (Neuro-PASC). Although symptoms of Neuro-PASC are widely documented, it is still unclear whether PASC symptoms impact virus-specific immune responses. Therefore, we examined T cell and antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid protein to identify activation signatures distinguishing Neuro-PASC patients from healthy COVID convalescents. Results We report that Neuro-PASC patients exhibit distinct immunological signatures composed of elevated CD4+ T cell responses and diminished CD8+ memory T cell activation toward the C-terminal region of SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid protein when examined both functionally and using TCR sequencing. CD8+ T cell production of IL-6 correlated with increased plasma IL-6 levels as well as heightened severity of neurologic symptoms, including pain. Elevated plasma immunoregulatory and reduced pro-inflammatory and antiviral response signatures were evident in Neuro-PASC patients compared with COVID convalescent controls without lasting symptoms, correlating with worse neurocognitive dysfunction. Discussion We conclude that these data provide new insight into the impact of virus-specific cellular immunity on the pathogenesis of long COVID and pave the way for the rational design of predictive biomarkers and therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lavanya Visvabharathy
- Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Barbara A. Hanson
- Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Zachary S. Orban
- Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Patrick H. Lim
- Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Nicole M. Palacio
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Millenia Jimenez
- Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Jeffrey R. Clark
- Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Edith L. Graham
- Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Eric M. Liotta
- Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - George Tachas
- Drug Discovery & Patents, Antisense Therapeutics Ltd., Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Pablo Penaloza-MacMaster
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Igor J. Koralnik
- Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
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10
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Visvabharathy L, Zhu C, Orban ZS, Yarnoff K, Palacio N, Jimenez M, Lim PH, Penaloza-MacMaster P, Koralnik IJ. Autoantibody production is enhanced after mild SARS-CoV-2 infection despite vaccination in individuals with and without long COVID. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.04.07.23288243. [PMID: 37090595 PMCID: PMC10120795 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.07.23288243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Long COVID patients who experienced severe acute SARS-CoV-2 infection can present with humoral autoimmunity. However, whether mild SARS-CoV-2 infection increases autoantibody responses and whether vaccination can decrease autoimmunity in long COVID patients is unknown. Here, we demonstrate that mild SARS-CoV-2 infection increases autoantibodies associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and inflammatory myopathies in long COVID patients with persistent neurologic symptoms to a greater extent than COVID convalescent controls at 8 months post-infection. Furthermore, high titers of SLE-associated autoantibodies in long COVID patients are associated with impaired cognitive performance and greater symptom severity, and subsequent vaccination/booster does not decrease autoantibody titers. In summary, we found that mild SARS-CoV-2 infection can induce persistent humoral autoimmunity in both long COVID patients and healthy COVID convalescents, suggesting that a reappraisal of vaccination and mitigation strategies is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Visvabharathy
- Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University
| | - C Zhu
- Genomics and Microarray Core Facility, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
| | - ZS Orban
- Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University
| | - K Yarnoff
- Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University
| | - N Palacio
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University
| | - M Jimenez
- Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University
| | - PH Lim
- Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University
| | - P Penaloza-MacMaster
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University
| | - IJ Koralnik
- Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University
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Fedorchenko Y, Zimba O. Long COVID in autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Rheumatol Int 2023; 43:1197-1207. [PMID: 36995436 PMCID: PMC10061411 DOI: 10.1007/s00296-023-05319-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
Consequences of Corona Virus Disease-19 (COVID-19) in patients with rheumatic diseases (RDs) are clinically diverse. SARS-CoV-2 infection has been associated with various autoimmune and rheumatic manifestations over the past three years. Emerging evidence points to the possibility of Long COVID predisposition in rheumatic patients due to the changes in immune regulatory response. The aim of this article was to overview data on the pathobiology of Long COVID in patients with RDs. Related risk factors, clinical characteristics, and prognosis of Long COVID in RDs were analyzed. Relevant articles were retrieved from Medline/PubMed, Scopus, and Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ). Diverse mechanisms of viral persistence, chronic low-grade inflammation, lasting production of autoantibodies, endotheliopathy, vascular complications, and permanent tissue damage have been described in association with Long COVID. Patients with RDs who survive COVID-19 often experience severe complications due to the immune disbalance resulting in multiple organ damage. Regular monitoring and treatment are warranted in view of the accumulating evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuliya Fedorchenko
- Department of Pathophysiology, Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University, Halytska Str. 2, Ivano-Frankivsk, 76018, Ukraine.
| | - Olena Zimba
- Department of Clinical Rheumatology and Immunology, University Hospital in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
- National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Warsaw, Poland
- Department of Internal Medicine N2, Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University, Lviv, Ukraine
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12
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Giannitrapani L, Mirarchi L, Amodeo S, Licata A, Soresi M, Cavaleri F, Casalicchio S, Ciulla G, Ciuppa ME, Cervello M, Barbagallo M, Veronese N. Can Baseline IL-6 Levels Predict Long COVID in Subjects Hospitalized for SARS-CoV-2 Disease? Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021731. [PMID: 36675242 PMCID: PMC9866804 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The immune response to infection plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of COVID-19, but several patients develop a wide range of persistent symptoms, which is becoming a major global health and economic burden. However, reliable indicators are not yet available to predict the persistence of symptoms typical of the so-called long COVID. Our study aims to explore an eventual role of IL-6 levels as a marker of long COVID. Altogether, 184 patients admitted to the COVID Medicine Unit of the University Hospital in Palermo, Italy, from the 1st of September 2020, were analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups according to the IL-6 serum levels (normal or elevated), considering the serum IL-6 levels measured during the first four days of hospitalization. In our study, higher serum IL-6 levels were associated with a doubled higher risk of long COVID (OR = 2.05; 95% CI: 1.04-4.50) and, in particular, they were associated with a higher incidence of mobility decline (OR = 2.55; 95% CI: 1.08-9.40) and PTSD (OR = 2.38; 95% CI: 1.06-8.61). The analysis of our case series confirmed the prominent role of IL-6 levels in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection, as predictors not only of COVID-19 disease severity and unfavorable outcomes, but also long COVID development trends.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia Giannitrapani
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council, 90146 Palermo, Italy
| | - Luigi Mirarchi
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Simona Amodeo
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Anna Licata
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Maurizio Soresi
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesco Cavaleri
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Salvatore Casalicchio
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Gregorio Ciulla
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Maria Elena Ciuppa
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Melchiorre Cervello
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council, 90146 Palermo, Italy
| | - Mario Barbagallo
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Nicola Veronese
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy
- Correspondence:
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