Deciphering Long Covid - Investigating Immune Dysfunction and Novel Pathways

The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic due to SARS-CoV-2 continues with accumulated 769 million cases, and 6.9 million deaths globally, and although rates have dropped, increased SARS-CoV-2 infections in the fall of 2024 are predicted. Within the pandemic, community groups had identified 'long COVID', as a major personal and economic problem. Long COVID is characterized by fatigue, shortness of breath, brain dysfunction and other symptoms, impacts everyday functioning, and has been reported in at least 10% of individuals recovering from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Despite vaccination, and new variants, the number of long COVID cases continues to increase. The cause of long COVID is still unclear. Recent studies have suggested the that the immune system in long COVID individuals is not working properlyand that another virus, EBV (Epstein -Barr Virus), a virus known to be associated with chronicfatigue might be contributing to long COVID. Our research team will try to understand whether long COVID is due to abnormal immune responses to both of these viruses, SARSCoV-2 and EBV. In addition, we will search for possible new bio-markers in the blood thatmay help explain this condition. By further understanding the nature of the immunedysfunction and uncovering new biomarkers, we may be better able to offer good therapies.