Tissue-based T cell activation and viral RNA persist for up to 2 years after SARS-CoV-2 infection.

ABSTRACT: The mechanisms of postacute medical conditions and unexplained symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection [Long Covid (LC)] are incompletely understood. There is growing evidence that viral persistence, immune dysregulation, and T cell dysfunction may play major roles. We performed whole-body positron emission tomography imaging in a well-characterized cohort of 24 participants at time points ranging from 27 to 910 days after acute SARS-CoV-2 infection using the radiopharmaceutical agent [¹⁸F]F-AraG, a selective tracer that allows for anatomical quantitation of activated T lymphocytes. Tracer uptake in the postacute COVID-19 group, which included those with and without continuing symptoms, was higher compared with prepandemic controls in many regions, including the brain stem, spinal c

SUBMITTER: Peluso MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11337933 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature