Japanese researchers have linked long COVID to the herpes virus
Japanese scientists suggest that one of the causes of long COVID may be linked to the reactivation of the herpes virus, which is already present in the human body. In their view, this could explain the onset of symptoms such as constant fatigue, depression, or hair loss.
Researchers have already identified a possible mechanism behind this process. At the same time, they emphasize that the work is still ongoing, and the results obtained could help in the development of new treatment methods.
A group of Japanese scientists has published research findings that may bring medicine closer to answering the question of why some people continue to suffer from unpleasant symptoms long after recovering from COVID-19. This refers to so-called long COVID—a condition in which a person, even after recovery, experiences fatigue, weakness, difficulty concentrating, depression, or other symptoms for months or even longer.
According to the World Health Organization, approximately 6% of people who have had COVID-19 develop long-term symptoms. Despite numerous studies, the exact cause of this phenomenon has not yet been definitively established. Specialists from Jikei University School of Medicine, together with other Japanese researchers, analyzed blood samples from more than 150 patients who sought medical attention for long COVID symptoms.
During the study, they focused on the SITH-1 protein. It turned out that this protein was present in the blood of approximately 70% of the patients examined. According to the researchers, SITH-1 appears when the herpes virus, which had previously been in a “dormant” state, becomes active in the body.
To better understand this process, the researchers conducted experiments on laboratory mice. They found that elevated levels of the SITH-1 protein were accompanied by impaired brain function due to a lack of certain neurotransmitters. According to the study’s authors, this may be linked to the onset of symptoms such as severe fatigue, low mood, and depressive symptoms.
Scientists suggest that after a COVID-19 infection, the coronavirus may trigger the reactivation of the herpes virus, which is already present in the bodies of many people. As a result, the SITH-1 protein begins to be produced, which may be one of the factors contributing to the development of long COVID. At the same time, the study’s authors do not claim that this is the sole cause of this condition. They emphasize that the findings help to better understand the possible mechanism of the disease’s development but require further confirmation.
University professor Naomi Oka noted that the new data could serve as the basis for developing more effective treatments. “These results open up the possibility of developing therapies that directly target the causes of the disease,” she said.
The researchers hope that further work will not only confirm this link but also lead to the development of drugs that specifically target the mechanism underlying long COVID, rather than merely alleviating its symptoms. This was reported by NHK.
In the United Kingdom, a large-scale investigation into the procurement of protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic has been completed. The commission concluded that the government may have lost nearly 10 billion pounds, as some of the masks, gowns, and other equipment purchased were found to be unusable or were never used at all.
