Clinical and Immunological Recovery Trajectories in Severe COVID-19 Survivors: A 12-Month Prospective Follow-Up Study.

ABSTRACT: Background: The link between clinical recovery and immune restoration after severe COVID-19 remains poorly defined. Although most survivors experience symptomatic improvement, persistent symptoms have been hypothesized to reflect ongoing immune dysregulation. Methods: This prospective cohort study followed 93 unvaccinated adults with RT-PCR-confirmed moderate-to-critical COVID-19 at 3, 6, and 12 months post-discharge. Clinical assessments used structured interviews to evaluate the persistent symptoms. Peripheral blood analyses were used to measure lymphocyte subsets, immunoglobulins, and complement components. Results: Clinical recovery was substantial; fatigue prevalence declined from 70.9% to 24.7% and dyspnea prevalence from 81.7% to 25.8% by 12 months (p < 0

SUBMITTER: Strumiliene E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12737718 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature