A study, led by The University of Cambridge, has identified the protein interferon gamma as a potential biomarker for Long Covid Fatigue.
News Medical
Summary
- IFN-γ Identified as Potential Biomarker: Researchers found that the antiviral protein interferon gamma (IFN-γ) may serve as a biomarker for Long COVID fatigue — a measurable biological signal associated with prolonged symptoms.
- Persistent Immune Response: While IFN-γ is normally produced during acute COVID-19 infection, the study showed that levels remain elevated in some Long COVID patients for up to 31 months after infection, especially in those with ongoing fatigue.
- Study Design: The research tracked a cohort of Long COVID patients for over 2.5 years, involving repeated blood sampling to monitor immune responses.
- Symptoms Linked: IFN-γ is known to cause symptoms such as fatigue, muscle aches, fever, headache, and depression, which overlap with common Long COVID complaints.
- Implications for Treatment: Understanding IFN-γ dynamics may help in the development of targeted treatments for Long COVID and could aid in preparing for future coronavirus outbreaks.
- Reclassifying Long COVID: The researchers propose that IFN-γ levels might help subtype Long COVID, aiding more personalised approaches to treatment.
- Microclotting Not the Sole Cause: The findings suggest that other proposed mechanisms like microclotting are unlikely to be the primary driver of Long COVID fatigue.
Extract
“A University of Cambridge-led study identifies the protein interferon gamma (IFN-γ) as a potential biomarker for Long COVID fatigue and highlights an immunological mechanism underlying the disease, which could pave the way for the development of much needed therapies, and provide a head start in the event of a future coronavirus pandemic.“
MEA Comment
This study, which has found evidence of raised levels of an immune system anti-viral chemical call interferon gamma in people with Long Covid, adds some further support to the hypothesis that, as with ME/CFS, the body's immune system is in a state of on-going activation.
We hope that the deep dive into the immunology of ME/CFS and Long Covid that forms part of the Rosetta Stone study, which is being funded by the MEA, will help to clarify whether this is actually the case.
Also interesting to note is the fact that following a Covid vaccination there was a reduction in the level of interferon gamma. This finding may be inked to reports that some people with Long Covid report an improvement in their health following vaccination.
Dr Charles Shepherd,
Trustee and Hon. Medical Adviser to the ME Association,
Member of the 2018-2021 NICE guideline on ME/CFS committee,
Member of the 2002 Chief Medical Officer's Working Group on ME/CFS
