Although the Covid-19 pandemic has been put behind us and life has largely returned to normal, the consequences of the virus continue to be felt by millions of people around the world. While vaccines helped save lives and end the global emergency, many people faced severe forms of the disease or lost their lives before treatments and vaccines became accessible.
Today, Covid-19 is no longer monitored with daily updates, but the virus continues to circulate and mutate. The biggest concern remains for patients with “long Covid,” who suffer for months or years from symptoms like extreme fatigue, brain fog, and breathing problems.
A new study led by the University of California (UCLA) has shed light on a possible mechanism behind these symptoms. According to the research, after the immune system destroys the virus, small protein fragments of SARS-CoV-2 may remain in the body. Some of these fragments are able to attack immune system cells by punching holes in their membranes and destroying them.
The researchers found that these fragments can target specific cells based on their shape, particularly cells with elongated structures, such as some T cells and other immune cells important for fighting infections. This mechanism may explain why in some cases Covid-19 severely weakens the immune system and why symptoms can persist even after the active infection has passed.
Researchers have previously described these remnants as "zombie" fragments, as they can mimic the immune system's own molecules and promote persistent inflammation.
These findings are consistent with other studies showing that traces of the virus or protein fragments can remain in the body for a long time, triggering inflammation and prolonged symptoms in some patients with long-term Covid.
Experts emphasize that the mechanisms of long-term Covid are still complex and not fully understood, but such discoveries could help develop new treatments for patients who continue to suffer from the long-term consequences of the virus.
