The reactivation of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), responsible for mononucleosis and which is dormant in almost all adults, could be the trigger for long Covid.
- The Epstein-Barr virus is dormant in almost all adults and can reactivate in the event of intense stress, immune deficiency or an inflammatory state.
- Nearly three-quarters (73%) of long Covid patients have EBV-specific antibodies that indicate reactivation.
- The researchers call for screening for EBV reactivation in infected patients in order to improve their care.
The origin of the long Covids may have been found. In a study published on June 17 in the scientific journal Pathogens, the authors believe that the inflammatory response to infection with the virus leads to the reactivation of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) which is responsible for mononucleosis. This would explain the symptoms experienced by nearly one in three patients after recovering from Covid-19 who complain of fatigue, brain fog or even rashes.
A virus reactivated by the inflammatory state
The Epstein-Barr virus is dormant in almost all adults (95%). It does not cause symptoms, but can be reactivated in the event of intense stress, immune deficiency or even an inflammatory state. And it is precisely this inflammatory state that would be at issue in the case of Covid. The reactivation of the virus causes fatigue, fever, headaches or neurological problems, all conditions which are comparable to those described by long Covid patients.
For this study, the researchers examined 185 people with Covid. Among them, 56 developed a long form. They took blood samples from all participants and looked for the presence of EBV-specific antibodies, some of which are only detectable when the virus reactivates.
Reactivation at the same time as the infection
The results revealed that nearly three-quarters (73%) of long Covid patients have EBV-specific antibodies that are indicative of reactivation. On closer inspection, the researchers realized that this reactivation occurred shortly after, or even at the same time as the infection with the virus. “Many long Covid symptoms may not be the direct result of the SARS-CoV-2 virus but may be the result of EBV reactivation induced by Covid inflammation”, assure the researchers.
The relationship between SARS-CoV-2 and EBV reactivation described in this study opens new possibilities for the diagnosis and treatment of long-term Covid patients. The authors argue for more research to confirm this link. In the meantime, they are already calling for screening for EBV reactivation in infected patients in order to improve their care. This could reduce the intensity and duration of EBV replication, which may help inhibit the development of long Covid.
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