Viral Persistence in Covid
This is from David @Dave_it_up on Twitter.
In non medical language - viral persistence
In non medical language - viral persistence SARS-CoV-2 RNA can transform white blood cells into carriers that settle in various organs as macrophages (Macrophages are a type of white blood cell that plays a crucial role in your immune system. They help defend your body by engulfing and digesting foreign substances, like bacteria and viruses, as well as dead or damaged cells.) Macrophages are important not only for attacking pathogens but also for helping to initiate healing processes in the body by clearing out debris and promoting tissue repair.) and potentially reactivate. This behavior is noted in other long-term infections. For instance, persistent Ebola RNA might help explain long-term COVID-19 effects. Long-standing knowledge shows that viral RNA can persist for extended periods, especially in body parts like the brain, eyes, and testes, which have special immune system relationships. These areas are somewhat shielded from the full immune response. Recovery and the development of immunity to certain RNA viruses do not always coincide with the complete removal of viral RNA from the body. This means that traces of the virus can linger without causing immediate symptoms. This discussion extends to specific body areas like the uveal tract (part of the eye), meninges (brain and spinal cord linings), synovium (joint tissue), and testes. Here, infected immune cells have limited interaction with memory T cells, which are crucial for recognizing and fighting past infections. This limited exposure allows the virus to continue growing in these areas, somewhat undetected by the immune system. The study suggests the possibility of Ebola virus reactivating from cells originating in the bone marrow, suggesting a similar mechanism could apply to SARS-CoV-2. The studies suggest that for a full recovery from Ebola, it might be The studies suggest that for a full recovery from Ebola, it might be necessary to ensure the bone marrow is free of the virus, implying that similar considerations could be relevant for diseases like COVID-19. The underlying concern is that these "reservoirs" of infection in the bone marrow could lead to repeated infections in areas of the body less monitored by the immune system, potentially mutating over time.
