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Rachel V Thomas

Severe COVID-19 Can Reactivate Dormant Viruses, May Fuel Long COVID Symptoms: Study

A severe COVID-19 infection may awaken dormant viruses that remain hidden in the body for life, even in people with otherwise healthy immune systems, according to a study published in Nature.

The study, which analyzed more than 1,100 hospitalized COVID-19 patients, found that viral reactivation was common and may contribute to <span>long COVID</span> symptoms. Researchers said the findings suggest COVID-19 can disrupt the body's internal ecosystem of dormant viruses, creating a state they describe as "dysvirosis."

"This finding suggests that COVID-19 may not always act as a single viral infection and may disrupt the body's internal ecosystem of dormant viruses, creating a state of 'dysvirosis'," said lead author Cole Maguire from Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin.

<h2>Which Dormant Viruses Were Reactivated?</h2>

Nearly half of the hospitalized patients had at least one dormant virus reactivate during their COVID-19 illness. The viruses identified included:

<ul><li><span rel="noindex">Epstein-Barr</span> virus (EBV), which causes mononucleosis</li><li>Herpes family viruses</li><li>Enteroviruses</li><li>Cytomegalovirus (CMV)</li><li>Herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1)</li><li>Human herpesvirus-6 and -7 (HHV-6/7)</li><li>Anelloviridae, a lesser-known family of chronic viruses</li></ul>

<strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/lab-leak-more-likely-origin-of-covid-19-says-former-biden-adviser-dr-ashish-jha-article-155255474" data-type="tilCustomLink">Lab Leak 'More Likely' Origin of COVID-19, Says Former Biden Adviser Dr. Ashish Jha</a>

<h2>How <span rel="noindex">Viral Reactivation Affects</span> The Body</h2>

The researchers found that viral reactivation was more common in patients with severe COVID-19 and those who had longer hospital stays, and caused:

<ul><li>Increase inflammation</li><li>Worsened tissue injury</li><li>Prolonged recovery</li></ul>

The study also noted that these viruses have previously been linked to autoimmune conditions such as multiple sclerosis and lupus.

Further, the study found that dormant viruses do not reactivate simultaneously after SARS-CoV-2 infection.

<ul><li>Epstein-Barr virus and anelloviruses tended to reactivate early, shortly after hospital admission.</li><li>Cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex viruses generally emerged around three weeks later, primarily in the respiratory system.</li></ul>

<h2>Not Limited to People With Weak Immune Systems</h2>

Earlier research had mainly observed viral reactivation in people with weakened immune systems. However, this study found that reactivation frequently occurred in people who were healthy before developing COVID-19.

According to the researchers, this suggests viral reactivation may be more common than previously believed and could contribute to worse outcomes even in otherwise healthy individuals.

<h2>How Are the Dormant Viruses Linked to Long <span rel="noindex">COVID</span>?</h2>

<strong>Read More: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/can-long-covid-be-prevented-before-it-starts-study-suggests-early-paxlovid-may-help-article-155185270" data-type="tilCustomLink">Can Long COVID Be Prevented Before It Starts? Study Suggests Early Paxlovid May Help</a>

While the study does not prove that viral reactivation causes long COVID, it provides strong evidence that dormant viruses may contribute to the condition.

Researchers found that Anelloviridae appeared more frequently in patients with long COVID who experienced persistent fatigue and reduced physical function.

"Our findings have important implications for patient care. Tests already exist for several of the chronic viruses studied, and some viruses in the herpes family can be treated with existing antiviral drugs," said study principal investigator Melamed, assistant professor of neurology at Dell Medical School.

"The next step is determining whether identifying and treating reactivated viruses can improve outcomes for patients with acute COVID-19 and long COVID."

The study may also influence future treatment strategies. Researchers noted that, instead of targeting only SARS-CoV-2, clinicians may eventually be able to use existing antiviral drugs against reactivated viruses, particularly herpesviruses.

A Phase II clinical trial is already underway to evaluate antiviral therapies targeting herpesviruses in people with long COVID.

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A severe COVID-19 infection may awaken dormant viruses that remain hidden in the body for life, even in people with otherwise healthy immune systems, according to a study published in Nature.The study, which analyzed more than 1,100 hospitalized COVID-19 patients, found that viral reactivation was common and may contribute to long COVID symptoms. Researchers said the findings suggest COVID-19 can disrupt the body's internal ecosystem of dormant viruses, creating a state they describe as "dysvirosis.""This finding suggests that COVID-19 may not always act as a single viral infection and may disrupt the body's internal ecosystem of dormant viruses, creating a state of 'dysvirosis'," said lead author Cole Maguire from Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin.Which Dormant Viruses Were Reactivated?Nearly half of the hospitalized patients had at least one dormant virus reactivate during their COVID-19 illness. The viruses identified included:Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which causes mononucleosisHerpes family virusesEnterovirusesCytomegalovirus (CMV)Herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1)Human herpesvirus-6 and -7 (HHV-6/7)Anelloviridae, a lesser-known family of chronic virusesAlso read: Lab Leak 'More Likely' Origin of COVID-19, Says Former Biden Adviser Dr. Ashish JhaHow Viral Reactivation Affects The BodyThe researchers found that viral reactivation was more common in patients with severe COVID-19 and those who had longer hospital stays, and caused:Increase inflammationWorsened tissue injuryProlonged recoveryThe study also noted that these viruses have previously been linked to autoimmune conditions such as multiple sclerosis and lupus.Further, the study found that dormant viruses do not reactivate simultaneously after SARS-CoV-2 infection.Epstein-Barr virus and anelloviruses tended to reactivate early, shortly after hospital admission.Cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex viruses generally emerged around three weeks later, primarily in the respiratory system.Not Limited to People With Weak Immune SystemsEarlier research had mainly observed viral reactivation in people with weakened immune systems. However, this study found that reactivation frequently occurred in people who were healthy before developing COVID-19.According to the researchers, this suggests viral reactivation may be more common than previously believed and could contribute to worse outcomes even in otherwise healthy individuals.How Are the Dormant Viruses Linked to Long COVID?Read More: Can Long COVID Be Prevented Before It Starts? Study Suggests Early Paxlovid May Help While the study does not prove that viral reactivation causes long COVID, it provides strong evidence that dormant viruses may contribute to the condition.Researchers found that Anelloviridae appeared more frequently in patients with long COVID who experienced persistent fatigue and reduced physical function."Our findings have important implications for patient care. Tests already exist for several of the chronic viruses studied, and some viruses in the herpes family can be treated with existing antiviral drugs," said study principal investigator Melamed, assistant professor of neurology at Dell Medical School."The next step is determining whether identifying and treating reactivated viruses can improve outcomes for patients with acute COVID-19 and long COVID." The study may also influence future treatment strategies. Researchers noted that, instead of targeting only SARS-CoV-2, clinicians may eventually be able to use existing antiviral drugs against reactivated viruses, particularly herpesviruses.A Phase II clinical trial is already underway to evaluate antiviral therapies targeting herpesviruses in people with long COVID.

severe covid-19 can reactivate dormant viruses, may fuel long covid symptoms: study

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