Herpesvirus infections and post-COVID-19 manifestations: a pilot observational study

Abstract

The global spread of SARS-CoV-2 points to unrivaled mutational variation of the virus, contributing to a variety of post-COVID sequelae in immunocompromised subjects and high mortality. Numerous studies have reported the reactivation of "sluggish" herpes virus infections in COVID-19, which exaggerate the course of the disease and complicate with lasting post-COVID manifestations CMV, EBV, HHV6). This study aimed to describe clinical and laboratory features of post-COVID manifestations accompanied by the reactivation of herpes virus infections (CMV, EBV, HHV6). 88 patients were recruited for this study, including subjects with reactivation of herpes viruses, 68 (72.3%) (main group) and 20 (27.7%) subjects without detectable DNA of herpesviruses (control group): 46 (52.3%) female and 42 (47.7%) male; median age was 41.4 ± 6.7 years. Patients with post-COVID manifestations presented with reactivation of EBV in 42.6%, HHV6 in 25.0%, and EBV plus HHV6 in 32.4%. Compared with controls, patients with herpes virus infections presented with more frequent slight fever temperature, headache, psycho-neurological disorders, pulmonary abnormalities and myalgia ( p < 0.01), activation of liver enzymes, elevated CRP and D-dimer, and suppressed cellular immune response ( p ≤ 0.05). Preliminary results indicate a likely involvement of reactivated herpes virus infections, primarily EBV infections in severe COVID-19 and the formation of the post-COVID syndrome. Patients with the post-COVID syndrome and reactivation of EBV and HHV6 infections are at high risk of developing various pathologies, including rheumatologic diseases.

Long COVID: major findings, mechanisms and recommendations

“…Reactivated viruses, including EBV and HHV-6, have been found in patients with long COVID 18 , 21 , 22 , 27 (and have been identified in ME/CFS 45 ), and lead to mitochondrial fragmentation and severely affect energy metabolism 46 . A recent preprint has reported that EBV reactivation is associated with fatigue and neurocognitive dysfunction in patients with long COVID 22 .…”

The Work of an Allergist and Scientist During the Full-Scale War in Ukraine

“…In total, as of September, according to the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, and confirmed by the World Health Organization, there have been 454 attacks on health care facilities in Ukraine, more than 906 health care facilities are in need of restoration, and more than 123 destroyed (Figure 2 [6,9,10]. In September, the new academic year began in a hybrid form online (for students of the 5th year) and offline (for students of the 6th year, interns and doctors of the advanced training course).…”

Post COVID and Apheresis – Where are we Standing?

“…Patients with Long/Post COVID manifestations presented with reactivation of EBV in 42.6%, HHV6 in 25.0%, and EBV plus HHV6 in 32.4% of the cases. Compared with controls, patients with herpes virus infections presented with significantly more symptoms of Long/Post COVID, elevated CRP and D-dimer, and suppressed cellular immune response 42 . These results indicate a potential involvement of reactivated herpes virus infections, in severe COVID-19 and formation of Long/Post COVID.…”