Kick off a study to analyze immunopathogenic mechanisms and the effect of vaccination in people with persistent Covid-19

The objective is to identify biomarkers and immunological mechanisms of persistent Covid-19 and to study the effect of vaccines. 300 people will participate in seven centers spread throughout Catalonia. The collaborative study is possible thanks to the logistical and operational support of the Daniel Bravo Foundation and the involvement of the group of those affected and persistently affected by Covid-19.

Researchers at the Jordi & nbsp; Gol & nbsp; i & nbsp; Gurina & nbsp; (IDIAPJGol) University Institute for Primary Care Research, the Barcelona Global Health Institute (ISGlobal) & nbsp; and the Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR) have put in A new study is underway to understand the immunopathogenic mechanisms of persistent COVID and to evaluate the effect and duration of COVID-19 vaccines on symptoms.

"Persistent Covid-19 is the nomenclature that has been used to call the cases of patients with symptoms lasting more than 4 weeks from the onset of the disease. The probability of developing persistent COVID-19 is not related to the severity of the disease, but it is estimated in up to 10% of patients ”, explains Anna Berenguera, research coordinator for the IDIAPJGol . It is estimated, on the other hand, that the symptoms may be present for at least six months.

"The persistent Covid-19 profile corresponds fundamentally to that of a woman under 45 years of age, who during the infection did not require hospitalization and who lives with the symptoms months after infection," explains Dr. Jordi Rello, principal investigator of the group of Clinical Research / Innovation in Pneumonia and Sepsis (CRIPS) at the Vall d'Hebron Research Institute and Professor of Medicine at the International University of Catalonia. “They were young, they were healthy and now many of them lead the life of an elderly person. That is why it is so important to insist on vaccinating young people ”, he emphasizes.

Possible causes of persistent COVID-19

There are various hypotheses about the causes of persistent COVID. One could be that the virus or virus proteins persist in certain areas of the body producing an inflammatory response. Another hypothesis is that there is a very strong inflammatory response to the infection that damages different tissues and it could also be that autoimmune antibodies are produced that could be attacking different tissues of the body. “We need to understand the causes and find biomarkers in order to be able to search for effective treatments and to follow up patients and thus improve their quality of life,” explains Gemma Moncunill, principal investigator of the study at ISGlobal.

Effect of vaccination on people with persistent COVID-19

Vaccines for COVID-19 are believed to be able to help some people with persistent COVID-19 by decreasing the intensity of symptoms. It is not known whether all current vaccines would have a potential beneficial effect, how long this effect would last, and what the mechanisms would be. These may be related to the elimination of persistent viruses, viral proteins, or by non-specific immunomodulation against the virus.

In a previous collaborative study by IDIAPJGol, the group of People Affected and Persistent Affected by Covid-19 and the Catalan Institute of Health, with more than 2,000 people, the clinical profiles of persistent Covid-19 and its relationship with the quality of life.

Now, in this new study launched on October 20, and with a sample of some 300 people, the immunopathogenic mechanisms will be investigated by analyzing the profile of antibodies against the virus, autoimmune antibodies, biomarkers of tissue damage and immune activation and inflammation. In addition, the effect of COVID-19 vaccines will be evaluated. To do this, the participants must attend one of the seven centers set up throughout the territory where they will have their blood drawn at various visits during the 2-year study period.

This research is being carried out in collaboration with the group of people affected and persistently affected by Covid-19 in Catalonia and is funded by the Daniel Bravo Andreu Private Foundation.

“From the collective we congratulate ourselves for our participation in this study. We understand that without research we cannot be cured. We have always opted for collaborative research and this study is a window of hope for many #covidpersistent, ”explains Sílvia Soler, spokesperson for the group.