Markers of T cell activation and exhaustion in plasma are associated with persistent symptoms up to 18 months following mild SARS-CoV-2 infection.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Persistent symptoms following SARS-CoV-2 is an increasing problem after COVID-19 disease. The pathogenesis of this persistent post Covid-19 Condition (PCC) is, however, largely unknown. We hypothesized that persistent T cell activation and exhaustion play a role in PCC development.

Methods

We examined plasma levels of soluble (s) CD25, TIM-3 and LAG-3, all markers of T cell activation/exhaustion, by enzyme immunoassays in 170 home-isolated and 53 hospitalized patients for up to 18 months after COVID-19 in relation to persistent symptomatology.

Results

Our major findings were: (i) Cases with persistent dyspnea and fatigue had markedly higher sCD25 at 6-18 months with a more modest increase in sTIM-3. (ii) Cases with memory problems at 12-18 months had increa

SUBMITTER: Ueland T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12162895 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature