#postcovid — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #postcovid, aggregated by home.social.
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From Austria 🇦🇹
Beneficial Effect of COVID-19 Vaccination on Decreased Pulmonary Vascular and Airway Volumes of Patients with Long-COVID Syndrome
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3271/14/3/413
Screenshot from latest Science for ME weekly update
@longcovid
#LongCovid #PASC #PwLC #postcovid #postcovid19 #PostCovidSyndrome #LC #Covidlonghaulers #longhaulers -
From Austria 🇦🇹
Beneficial Effect of COVID-19 Vaccination on Decreased Pulmonary Vascular and Airway Volumes of Patients with Long-COVID Syndrome
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3271/14/3/413
Screenshot from latest Science for ME weekly update
@longcovid
#LongCovid #PASC #PwLC #postcovid #postcovid19 #PostCovidSyndrome #LC #Covidlonghaulers #longhaulers -
From France & Italy
Longitudinal immune profiling of Long COVID phenotypes reveals a shared persistent IL-17F-centered immune signature
https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-10216167/v1
Screenshot from latest Science for ME weekly update
@longcovid
#LongCovid #PASC #PwLC #postcovid #postcovid19 #PostCovidSyndrome #LC #Covidlonghaulers #longhaulers -
From France & Italy
Longitudinal immune profiling of Long COVID phenotypes reveals a shared persistent IL-17F-centered immune signature
https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-10216167/v1
Screenshot from latest Science for ME weekly update
@longcovid
#LongCovid #PASC #PwLC #postcovid #postcovid19 #PostCovidSyndrome #LC #Covidlonghaulers #longhaulers -
#MECFS
#PostCovid
#PostVac
#LongCovidDie Fachrichtung ist oft zweitrangig – entscheidend sind Interesse und Empathie.
"Wir freuen uns ausdrücklich auch über Bewerbungen von Ärztinnen und Ärzten, die selbst von ME/CFS oder PAIVS betroffen sind."
- Ärzt*innen – mit Erfahrung in oder Interesse an der ME/CFS-Versorgung
- Ärzt*innen – Mastzellaktivierung, Histaminintoleranz & Allergologie
- Fachärzt*innen für Angiologie oder Kardiologie
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#MECFS
#PostCovid
#PostVac
#LongCovidDie Fachrichtung ist oft zweitrangig – entscheidend sind Interesse und Empathie.
"Wir freuen uns ausdrücklich auch über Bewerbungen von Ärztinnen und Ärzten, die selbst von ME/CFS oder PAIVS betroffen sind."
- Ärzt*innen – mit Erfahrung in oder Interesse an der ME/CFS-Versorgung
- Ärzt*innen – Mastzellaktivierung, Histaminintoleranz & Allergologie
- Fachärzt*innen für Angiologie oder Kardiologie
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News Release 6-Aug-2026
Night shift work linked to a higher risk of long COVIDPeople working night shifts were nearly twice as likely to develop long COVID, while chronic insomnia further increased the risk, according to a study based on the COVICAT cohort
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1139037
Hashtags:
@longcovid
#LongCovid #PASC #PwLC #postcovid #postcovid19 #PostCovidSyndrome #LC #Covidlonghaulers #longhaulers -
News Release 6-Aug-2026
Night shift work linked to a higher risk of long COVIDPeople working night shifts were nearly twice as likely to develop long COVID, while chronic insomnia further increased the risk, according to a study based on the COVICAT cohort
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1139037
Hashtags:
@longcovid
#LongCovid #PASC #PwLC #postcovid #postcovid19 #PostCovidSyndrome #LC #Covidlonghaulers #longhaulers -
News Release 5-Aug-2026
"Severe COVID-19 reactivates dormant viruses, study finds""Better understanding of how these activated viruses contribute to COVID-related outcomes could help physicians better predict potential complications & improve treatment for patients with severe COVID infection"
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1138588
Looks like an interesting and impressive study
@longcovid
#LongCovid #PASC #PwLC #postcovid #postcovid19 #LC #Coronavirus
#COVID19 #COVID #COVID_19 #COVIDー19 #SARSCoV2
#novid -
News Release 5-Aug-2026
"Severe COVID-19 reactivates dormant viruses, study finds""Better understanding of how these activated viruses contribute to COVID-related outcomes could help physicians better predict potential complications & improve treatment for patients with severe COVID infection"
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1138588
Looks like an interesting and impressive study
@longcovid
#LongCovid #PASC #PwLC #postcovid #postcovid19 #LC #Coronavirus
#COVID19 #COVID #COVID_19 #COVIDー19 #SARSCoV2
#novid -
Every morning now: After pouring a gallon of eye drops and rubbing my eyes for 15 minutes. #postcovid
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'Virus reactivation in acute and long COVID-19'
"we reveal significant reactivation of Herpesviridae and Anelloviridae during acute COVID-19, with distinct temporal dynamics for different viruses, and demonstrate that reactivation correlates with disease severity, host immune effects and clinical outcomes."
"Our findings challenge the prevailing view that chronic viral reactivation is primarily a consequence of immunosuppression, demonstrating that reactivations occur frequently in immunocompetent individuals during severe illness and in association with increased systemic inflammation."
"we demonstrate persistence of viral reactivation in convalescence, and report an association of Anelloviridae with long COVID."
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-026-10740-z
#health #covid #Covid19 #LongCovid #PostCovid #herpesvirus #annellovirus
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'Virus reactivation in acute and long COVID-19'
"we reveal significant reactivation of Herpesviridae and Anelloviridae during acute COVID-19, with distinct temporal dynamics for different viruses, and demonstrate that reactivation correlates with disease severity, host immune effects and clinical outcomes."
"Our findings challenge the prevailing view that chronic viral reactivation is primarily a consequence of immunosuppression, demonstrating that reactivations occur frequently in immunocompetent individuals during severe illness and in association with increased systemic inflammation."
"we demonstrate persistence of viral reactivation in convalescence, and report an association of Anelloviridae with long COVID."
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-026-10740-z
#health #covid #Covid19 #LongCovid #PostCovid #herpesvirus #annellovirus
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RE: https://mastodon.social/@NichtGenesen/117041690674256380
'Persistence of spike protein at the skull-meninges-brain axis may contribute to the neurological sequelae of #COVID19
• Spike protein is sufficient to induce brain pathological and behavioral changes in mice
• Spike protein enhances brain vulnerability and exacerbates neurological damage in mice
• mRNA vaccines reduce, but do not eliminate, the spike burden'
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RE: https://mastodon.social/@NichtGenesen/117041690674256380
'Persistence of spike protein at the skull-meninges-brain axis may contribute to the neurological sequelae of #COVID19
• Spike protein is sufficient to induce brain pathological and behavioral changes in mice
• Spike protein enhances brain vulnerability and exacerbates neurological damage in mice
• mRNA vaccines reduce, but do not eliminate, the spike burden'
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📰 Auf meinen Websites findet Ihr u. a. nützliche Artikel zum #Klimasystem, zur #Energiewende und zur #Plastikvermeidung.
Aber die Rechnungen werden u.a. noch mit Amazon-Affiliate-Links bezahlt. 😱 Die will ich loswerden, besser früher als später. Das geht nur mit Eurer Hilfe.
Werde Mäzen:
https://steady.page/klimacrew 👥oder hilf’ mit einer Einzelspende:
https://ko-fi.com/tinoeberl 💶#Klimawandel #Klimaschutz #Science #Klimakommunikation #Infektionsschutz #LongCovid #PostCovid #MECFS #Endometriose
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📰 Auf meinen Websites findet Ihr u. a. nützliche Artikel zum #Klimasystem, zur #Energiewende und zur #Plastikvermeidung.
Aber die Rechnungen werden u.a. noch mit Amazon-Affiliate-Links bezahlt. 😱 Die will ich loswerden, besser früher als später. Das geht nur mit Eurer Hilfe.
Werde Mäzen:
https://steady.page/klimacrew 👥oder hilf’ mit einer Einzelspende:
https://ko-fi.com/tinoeberl 💶#Klimawandel #Klimaschutz #Science #Klimakommunikation #Infektionsschutz #LongCovid #PostCovid #MECFS #Endometriose
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Estimating the Quality-Adjusted Life-Year Loss due to Fatal and Nonfatal COVID-19 Outcomes across US States and Counties, July 2020 to December 2022
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/23814683261461551
Screenshot from latest Science for ME weekly update
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Estimating the Quality-Adjusted Life-Year Loss due to Fatal and Nonfatal COVID-19 Outcomes across US States and Counties, July 2020 to December 2022
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/23814683261461551
Screenshot from latest Science for ME weekly update
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R3 Seminar Recap: RECOVER clinical trial results and the pursuit of Long COVID treatments
Includes a link to a recording
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R3 Seminar Recap: RECOVER clinical trial results and the pursuit of Long COVID treatments
Includes a link to a recording
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Goedemorgen mensen. Onderstaand artikel kreeg ik doorgestuurd van een vriend. Fijne dag!
#pem #PostCovid -
Goedemorgen mensen. Onderstaand artikel kreeg ik doorgestuurd van een vriend. Fijne dag!
#pem #PostCovid -
From Australia 🇦🇺
Altered TRPM3-Dependent Cytosolic and Mitochondrial Calcium Influx in Natural Killer Cells of Post-COVID-19 Condition Patients
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/eji.70240
Screenshot from Science for ME weekly update
#LongCovid #postcovid #PASC #PwLC #postcovid19 #PostCovidSyndrome @longcovid
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From Australia 🇦🇺
Altered TRPM3-Dependent Cytosolic and Mitochondrial Calcium Influx in Natural Killer Cells of Post-COVID-19 Condition Patients
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/eji.70240
Screenshot from Science for ME weekly update
#LongCovid #postcovid #PASC #PwLC #postcovid19 #PostCovidSyndrome @longcovid
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An exploratory exome-wide machine learning analysis identifies candidate host gene signatures associated with Long COVID in a large admixed Brazilian cohort
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2026.1837186/full
Screenshot from Science for ME weekly update
#LongCovid #postcovid #PASC #PwLC #postcovid19 #PostCovidSyndrome #LC #Covidlonghaulers @longcovid
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An exploratory exome-wide machine learning analysis identifies candidate host gene signatures associated with Long COVID in a large admixed Brazilian cohort
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2026.1837186/full
Screenshot from Science for ME weekly update
#LongCovid #postcovid #PASC #PwLC #postcovid19 #PostCovidSyndrome #LC #Covidlonghaulers @longcovid
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Scherp kritisch artikel van een Brabantse arts over de resultaten van het tot nu toe gevoerde q-koorts en longCovid beleid.
Met voorstel en oproep aan vws voor een expertisecentrum in Brabant.
https://nieuwsbriefzorgeninnovatie.nl/post-covid-zorg-hoe-nu-verder-een-oproep-aan-vws/ -
Scherp kritisch artikel van een Brabantse arts over de resultaten van het tot nu toe gevoerde q-koorts en longCovid beleid.
Met voorstel en oproep aan vws voor een expertisecentrum in Brabant.
https://nieuwsbriefzorgeninnovatie.nl/post-covid-zorg-hoe-nu-verder-een-oproep-aan-vws/ -
News Release 30-Jul-2026
Long COVID & immune 'soldier' cells: Q&A with Gladstone’s Nadia Roan
Nadia Roan et al. uncovered links between long COVID & changes in virus-specific immune cells, particularly in women.
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1138292
Paper
linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S2666379126003630@longcovid
#LongCovid #PASC #PwLC #postcovid #postcovid19 #PostCovidSyndrome #LC #Covidlonghaulers #longhaulers -
News Release 30-Jul-2026
Long COVID & immune 'soldier' cells: Q&A with Gladstone’s Nadia Roan
Nadia Roan et al. uncovered links between long COVID & changes in virus-specific immune cells, particularly in women.
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1138292
Paper
linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S2666379126003630@longcovid
#LongCovid #PASC #PwLC #postcovid #postcovid19 #PostCovidSyndrome #LC #Covidlonghaulers #longhaulers -
Cadeau-artikel:
'Inspectie oordeelt vernietigend over kliniek die wondermiddel tegen postcovid claimde te hebben'
"Excellent Care Clinics"
"een verboden medicijnexperiment"
"De kliniek was ook niet eerlijk over het feit dat twee artsen en een bestuurder van de kliniek octrooien hebben op het medicijn, dat chemisch licht is aangepast."
"Ook werden de bijwerkingen van patiënten niet goed vastgelegd."
"Daarnaast behandelde een bestuurder van de kliniek patiënten, terwijl hij geen arts-papieren heeft."
"Toestemmingsformulieren ontbraken, medicatieoverzichten waren afwezig en overdrachtsbrieven voor de huisarts waren onvindbaar. "
#Gezondheid #LongCovid #PostCovid #ExcellentCareClinics #lidocaine
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Cadeau-artikel:
'Inspectie oordeelt vernietigend over kliniek die wondermiddel tegen postcovid claimde te hebben'
"Excellent Care Clinics"
"een verboden medicijnexperiment"
"De kliniek was ook niet eerlijk over het feit dat twee artsen en een bestuurder van de kliniek octrooien hebben op het medicijn, dat chemisch licht is aangepast."
"Ook werden de bijwerkingen van patiënten niet goed vastgelegd."
"Daarnaast behandelde een bestuurder van de kliniek patiënten, terwijl hij geen arts-papieren heeft."
"Toestemmingsformulieren ontbraken, medicatieoverzichten waren afwezig en overdrachtsbrieven voor de huisarts waren onvindbaar. "
#Gezondheid #LongCovid #PostCovid #ExcellentCareClinics #lidocaine
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( #Perth, #WesternAustralia )
Research team seeks patients with long Covid
Screenshot from latest Emerge Australia email bulletin
#LongCovid #postcovid #PASC #PwLC #postcovid19 #PostCovidSyndrome @longcovid
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( #Perth, #WesternAustralia )
Research team seeks patients with long Covid
Screenshot from latest Emerge Australia email bulletin
#LongCovid #postcovid #PASC #PwLC #postcovid19 #PostCovidSyndrome @longcovid
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From Germany 🇩🇪
Cerebral gray matter volumes in long-term post-COVID patients are associated with peripheral kynurenine pathway metabolites and the severity of depressive symptoms
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0889159126006665
Screenshot from Science for ME weekly update
#LongCovid #COVIDBrain #NeuroPASC #postcovid #PASC #PwLC #postcovid19 #PostCovidSyndrome @longcovid
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From Germany 🇩🇪
Cerebral gray matter volumes in long-term post-COVID patients are associated with peripheral kynurenine pathway metabolites and the severity of depressive symptoms
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0889159126006665
Screenshot from Science for ME weekly update
#LongCovid #COVIDBrain #NeuroPASC #postcovid #PASC #PwLC #postcovid19 #PostCovidSyndrome @longcovid
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Understanding neuroinflammation in post-COVID-19 syndrome: biological mechanisms, diagnostic biomarkers, and therapeutic prospects
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41398-026-04286-x
Screenshot from Science for ME weekly update
#LongCovid #COVIDBrain #NeuroPASC #postcovid #PASC #PwLC #postcovid19 #PostCovidSyndrome @longcovid
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Understanding neuroinflammation in post-COVID-19 syndrome: biological mechanisms, diagnostic biomarkers, and therapeutic prospects
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41398-026-04286-x
Screenshot from Science for ME weekly update
#LongCovid #COVIDBrain #NeuroPASC #postcovid #PASC #PwLC #postcovid19 #PostCovidSyndrome @longcovid
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#Losartan and #prednisolone for #postCOVID syndrome and cardiac inflammation: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, https://etidiohnew.blogspot.com/2026/07/losartan-and-prednisolone-for-postcovid.html
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#Losartan and #prednisolone for #postCOVID syndrome and cardiac inflammation: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, https://etidiohnew.blogspot.com/2026/07/losartan-and-prednisolone-for-postcovid.html
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From the US 🇺🇸
Small extracellular vesicles proteome reveals persistent inflammatory and coagulopathic dysregulation in long-COVID
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1805159/full
Screenshot from Science for ME weekly update
#LongCovid #postcovid #PASC #PwLC #postcovid19 #PostCovidSyndrome #Covidlonghaulers @longcovid
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From the US 🇺🇸
Small extracellular vesicles proteome reveals persistent inflammatory and coagulopathic dysregulation in long-COVID
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1805159/full
Screenshot from Science for ME weekly update
#LongCovid #postcovid #PASC #PwLC #postcovid19 #PostCovidSyndrome #Covidlonghaulers @longcovid
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2/
Alternative link that is only in English for the press release: "New research: muscle problems in post-COVID and ME/CFS cannot be explained by prolonged inactivity"
https://listserv.nodak.edu/cgi-bin/wa.exe?A2=ind2607E&L=CO-CURE&P=R2
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2/
Alternative link that is only in English for the press release: "New research: muscle problems in post-COVID and ME/CFS cannot be explained by prolonged inactivity"
https://listserv.nodak.edu/cgi-bin/wa.exe?A2=ind2607E&L=CO-CURE&P=R2
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Sehr hörenswerte und gut recherchierte Sendung vom #Deutschlandfunk über den Forschungsstand und die Versorgung bei #MECFS und #LongCOVID:
"Wann heilen wir #MECFS"
Teil 1:
https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/me-cfs-heilen-1-2-therapie-und-irrtum-100.htmlTeil 2:
https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/me-cfs-heilen-2-2-forschung-nimmt-fahrt-auf-100.html -
From Denmark
Persistent neuromuscular dysfunction in long COVID: A quantitative and single fiber EMG follow-up study
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0987705326000511
Screenshot from Science for ME weekly update
#LongCovid #postcovid #PASC #PwLC #postcovid19 #PostCovidSyndrome #LC #Covidlonghaulers
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From Denmark
Persistent neuromuscular dysfunction in long COVID: A quantitative and single fiber EMG follow-up study
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0987705326000511
Screenshot from Science for ME weekly update
#LongCovid #postcovid #PASC #PwLC #postcovid19 #PostCovidSyndrome #LC #Covidlonghaulers
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(Victoria, Australia)
Long Covid study that is recruitingScreenshot from latest Emerge Australia email bulletin
#LongCovid #postcovid #PASC #PwLC #postcovid19 #PostCovidSyndrome #auscovid19 @longcovid
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(Victoria, Australia)
Long Covid study that is recruitingScreenshot from latest Emerge Australia email bulletin
#LongCovid #postcovid #PASC #PwLC #postcovid19 #PostCovidSyndrome #auscovid19 @longcovid
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DATE: July 28, 2026 at 04:00PM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG** Research quality varies widely from fantastic to small exploratory studies. Please check research methods when conclusions are very important to you. **
-------------------------------------------------TITLE: Overactive immune cells might drive nerve pain in long COVID
URL: https://www.psypost.org/how-overactive-immune-cells-might-drive-nerve-pain-in-long-covid/
Millions of people who recover from the initial stages of COVID-19 continue to suffer from lingering nerve pain, fatigue, and cognitive issues. A new academic review proposes that a specific type of overactive immune cell might be responsible for driving this persistent nerve damage. These findings were published in the Journal of Neuropathology & Experimental Neurology.
Long COVID, officially termed post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection, remains a widespread public health issue. Global estimates suggest the condition affects over 60 million individuals. One meta-analysis reviewing a massive sample of over two million confirmed COVID-19 cases estimated a global prevalence of nearly 36 percent. A different review of a massive sample of over 480,000 individuals found that over half of survivors experienced at least one lingering symptom for more than a year.
Despite these high numbers, the underlying biology of Long COVID is not fully understood. Patients report a wide array of symptoms across multiple organ systems. These frequently include extreme fatigue, brain fog, and shortness of breath.
A prominent feature of Long COVID is neuropathy, a general term for damage or dysfunction of the peripheral nervous system. Peripheral nerves connect the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body. Data from several observational studies indicates that up to 59 percent of Long COVID patients show signs of small-fiber neuropathy.
Small-fiber neuropathy specifically affects the tiny, unmyelinated nerve endings in the skin and organs. These fibers transmit pain and temperature sensations. When damaged, they often cause burning pain, numbness, and tingling in the extremities.
Conventional nerve conduction studies often fail to detect this specific type of damage. Standard medical tests primarily assess large, myelinated nerve fibers responsible for major muscle movements and gross sensation. Because standard diagnostic tools easily miss damage to small nerve fibers, the prevalence of Long COVID neuropathy likely went underreported in the early stages of the pandemic.
These small nerves also help control the autonomic nervous system, which manages involuntary body functions like heart rate and digestion. Autonomic dysfunction is frequently observed in Long COVID patients. Many develop postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, a condition where the heart races uncontrollably upon standing.
Zachary L. Morcos and Theoharis C. Theoharides, researchers affiliated with Nova Southeastern University and Tufts University, sought to explore potential cellular mechanisms connecting these varied symptoms. They noticed that many Long COVID complaints closely mirror an immune condition called mast cell activation syndrome. This prompted them to investigate whether mast cells might serve as the biological bridge between a past viral infection and ongoing nerve pain.
Mast cells are specialized immune cells that act as sentinels throughout the body. They are heavily concentrated in tissues that interface with the external environment, such as the skin, lungs, and gut. They also cluster heavily around blood vessels and nerve fibers.
Normally, mast cells help defend against pathogens and play a central role in allergic reactions. When triggered by a virus, an allergen, or physiological stress, they undergo a process called degranulation. During degranulation, the cells split open and dump an arsenal of chemical mediators into the surrounding tissue.
These inflammatory chemicals include histamine, tryptase, and various signaling proteins. While these mediators help orchestrate a defense against immediate threats, chronic release can damage surrounding tissues. Because mast cells are positioned directly next to nerve fibers, their chemical output can easily irritate pain receptors.
Mast cells are well known for their role in asthma and skin hives. However, researchers are increasingly recognizing their ability to modulate both neurovascular and neuroimmune responses. Because they sit at the biological crossroads of the blood supply and the nervous system, any prolonged mast cell hyperactivity can easily disrupt both systems simultaneously.
To evaluate this hypothesis, the researchers conducted a narrative literature review. They gathered and synthesized data from cell cultures, animal models, clinical case reports, and human observational studies. The goal was to build a comprehensive picture of how mast cells interact with the pandemic virus and the human nervous system.
The collected research suggests that the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus directly binds to specific receptors on the surface of mast cells. These docking points include the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and toll-like receptor 4 proteins. This cellular interaction triggers the mast cells to release their inflammatory payload without requiring a traditional allergic trigger. Once released, these harsh chemicals bathe nearby nerve endings, making them overly sensitive to pain.
The prolonged presence of these mediators initiates a localized chain reaction of inflammation. The chemicals degrade the structural integrity of small nerve fibers, leading to the numbness and burning characteristic of neuropathy. In the autonomic nervous system, this localized damage disrupts the normal transmission of signals required to regulate blood pressure and heart rate.
The researchers note that the collateral damage is not limited to peripheral limbs. Inflammatory mediators released by mast cells can travel through the bloodstream and compromise the blood-brain barrier. This barrier is a highly selective membrane designed to keep circulating toxins out of the central nervous system.
When the blood-brain barrier weakens, general immune cells and inflammatory molecules can slip into the brain. Once inside, they may aggravate microglia, the brain’s resident immune cell population. This localized brain inflammation is suspected to be a primary driver of the cognitive dysfunction and extreme fatigue often reported by patients.
Past clinical observations provide associative evidence that mast cells contribute to Long COVID. The review highlights a small study of 21 patients with severe COVID-19 where resting immune markers were abnormally elevated. Autopsy data from deceased patients has also revealed heavy accumulations of mast cells in the lungs and near blocked blood vessels.
In addition to causing direct nerve damage, overactive mast cells might intersect with other theorized Long COVID mechanisms. The chemicals they release can disrupt normal blood clotting, potentially contributing to the microscopic blood clots found in some patients. Their constant signaling might also skew the broader immune system, inducing the autoimmune responses seen long after the virus clears.
If hyperactive mast cells are causing neurological symptoms, targeting them directly might offer symptom relief. The review evaluated several potential therapeutic strategies reported in recent clinical literature. Standard antihistamines, which block the cellular receptors for one of the main chemicals released by mast cells, have provided mixed outcomes.
Some case reports describe patients achieving remission from autonomic nervous system issues after starting antihistamine therapy. However, human mast cells can release up to 390 different inflammatory mediators depending on the trigger. Blocking histamine alone might not be sufficient to completely halt the widespread nerve damage.
The researchers point to other chemical interventions, such as naturally occurring plant compounds called flavonoids. Specifically, natural molecules like luteolin and quercetin appear to stabilize the outer membrane of mast cells. Laboratory studies suggest these compounds prevent the cells from releasing their contents in the first place, rather than just blocking single mediators after they are loose in the tissue.
Another proposed treatment is alpha-lipoic acid, a natural antioxidant involved in cellular energy production. Previous research indicates this compound helps neutralize oxidative stress in biological tissues. It has also shown promise in promoting nerve regeneration and suppressing pain signals traveling along damaged nerve fibers.
While the biological mechanism appears plausible, the researchers outline several caveats to their conclusions. Narrative reviews synthesize existing evidence but do not act as standalone experiments to confirm a hypothesis. Much of the underlying data comes from isolated test tube studies, animal models, and individual patient case reports.
Additionally, blood tests designed to measure mast cell activation are not consistently elevated in all Long COVID patients. Because the results of these tests were not statistically significant across all cohorts, the authors suggest this might be because mast cell activity fluctuates. The inflammation might also be localized inside specific organ tissues rather than circulating through the whole body in high concentrations.
The wide variation in patient responses to immune-modulating treatments indicates that Long COVID is likely an umbrella term for several distinct biological problems. Mast cell dysfunction might be a primary driver for some individuals, while persistent viral fragments or blood clotting issues might dominate in others. These distinct but overlapping biological pathways make diagnosing and treating the condition exceptionally difficult.
The exact sequence of events leading from an initial respiratory infection to chronic nerve pain remains partially theoretical. Addressing this knowledge gap will require prospective clinical trials specifically designed to track mast cell activity over time. Until then, understanding this specific immune response offers a rational foundation for developing targeted therapies to help those suffering from chronic post-viral illness.
The study, “Long COVID neuropathy: The role of mast cells,” was authored by Zachary L. Morcos and Theoharis C. Theoharides.
URL: https://www.psypost.org/how-overactive-immune-cells-might-drive-nerve-pain-in-long-covid/
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#psychology #counseling #socialwork #psychotherapy @psychotherapist @psychotherapists @psychology @socialpsych @socialwork @psychiatry #mentalhealth #psychiatry #healthcare #depression #psychotherapist #LongCOVID #MastCells #Neuropathy #SmallFiberNeuropathy #Neuroinflammation #AutonomicDysfunction #BrainFog #PostCovid #InflammationMedicine #PainManagement
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DATE: July 28, 2026 at 04:00PM
SOURCE: PSYPOST.ORG** Research quality varies widely from fantastic to small exploratory studies. Please check research methods when conclusions are very important to you. **
-------------------------------------------------TITLE: Overactive immune cells might drive nerve pain in long COVID
URL: https://www.psypost.org/how-overactive-immune-cells-might-drive-nerve-pain-in-long-covid/
Millions of people who recover from the initial stages of COVID-19 continue to suffer from lingering nerve pain, fatigue, and cognitive issues. A new academic review proposes that a specific type of overactive immune cell might be responsible for driving this persistent nerve damage. These findings were published in the Journal of Neuropathology & Experimental Neurology.
Long COVID, officially termed post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection, remains a widespread public health issue. Global estimates suggest the condition affects over 60 million individuals. One meta-analysis reviewing a massive sample of over two million confirmed COVID-19 cases estimated a global prevalence of nearly 36 percent. A different review of a massive sample of over 480,000 individuals found that over half of survivors experienced at least one lingering symptom for more than a year.
Despite these high numbers, the underlying biology of Long COVID is not fully understood. Patients report a wide array of symptoms across multiple organ systems. These frequently include extreme fatigue, brain fog, and shortness of breath.
A prominent feature of Long COVID is neuropathy, a general term for damage or dysfunction of the peripheral nervous system. Peripheral nerves connect the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body. Data from several observational studies indicates that up to 59 percent of Long COVID patients show signs of small-fiber neuropathy.
Small-fiber neuropathy specifically affects the tiny, unmyelinated nerve endings in the skin and organs. These fibers transmit pain and temperature sensations. When damaged, they often cause burning pain, numbness, and tingling in the extremities.
Conventional nerve conduction studies often fail to detect this specific type of damage. Standard medical tests primarily assess large, myelinated nerve fibers responsible for major muscle movements and gross sensation. Because standard diagnostic tools easily miss damage to small nerve fibers, the prevalence of Long COVID neuropathy likely went underreported in the early stages of the pandemic.
These small nerves also help control the autonomic nervous system, which manages involuntary body functions like heart rate and digestion. Autonomic dysfunction is frequently observed in Long COVID patients. Many develop postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, a condition where the heart races uncontrollably upon standing.
Zachary L. Morcos and Theoharis C. Theoharides, researchers affiliated with Nova Southeastern University and Tufts University, sought to explore potential cellular mechanisms connecting these varied symptoms. They noticed that many Long COVID complaints closely mirror an immune condition called mast cell activation syndrome. This prompted them to investigate whether mast cells might serve as the biological bridge between a past viral infection and ongoing nerve pain.
Mast cells are specialized immune cells that act as sentinels throughout the body. They are heavily concentrated in tissues that interface with the external environment, such as the skin, lungs, and gut. They also cluster heavily around blood vessels and nerve fibers.
Normally, mast cells help defend against pathogens and play a central role in allergic reactions. When triggered by a virus, an allergen, or physiological stress, they undergo a process called degranulation. During degranulation, the cells split open and dump an arsenal of chemical mediators into the surrounding tissue.
These inflammatory chemicals include histamine, tryptase, and various signaling proteins. While these mediators help orchestrate a defense against immediate threats, chronic release can damage surrounding tissues. Because mast cells are positioned directly next to nerve fibers, their chemical output can easily irritate pain receptors.
Mast cells are well known for their role in asthma and skin hives. However, researchers are increasingly recognizing their ability to modulate both neurovascular and neuroimmune responses. Because they sit at the biological crossroads of the blood supply and the nervous system, any prolonged mast cell hyperactivity can easily disrupt both systems simultaneously.
To evaluate this hypothesis, the researchers conducted a narrative literature review. They gathered and synthesized data from cell cultures, animal models, clinical case reports, and human observational studies. The goal was to build a comprehensive picture of how mast cells interact with the pandemic virus and the human nervous system.
The collected research suggests that the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus directly binds to specific receptors on the surface of mast cells. These docking points include the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and toll-like receptor 4 proteins. This cellular interaction triggers the mast cells to release their inflammatory payload without requiring a traditional allergic trigger. Once released, these harsh chemicals bathe nearby nerve endings, making them overly sensitive to pain.
The prolonged presence of these mediators initiates a localized chain reaction of inflammation. The chemicals degrade the structural integrity of small nerve fibers, leading to the numbness and burning characteristic of neuropathy. In the autonomic nervous system, this localized damage disrupts the normal transmission of signals required to regulate blood pressure and heart rate.
The researchers note that the collateral damage is not limited to peripheral limbs. Inflammatory mediators released by mast cells can travel through the bloodstream and compromise the blood-brain barrier. This barrier is a highly selective membrane designed to keep circulating toxins out of the central nervous system.
When the blood-brain barrier weakens, general immune cells and inflammatory molecules can slip into the brain. Once inside, they may aggravate microglia, the brain’s resident immune cell population. This localized brain inflammation is suspected to be a primary driver of the cognitive dysfunction and extreme fatigue often reported by patients.
Past clinical observations provide associative evidence that mast cells contribute to Long COVID. The review highlights a small study of 21 patients with severe COVID-19 where resting immune markers were abnormally elevated. Autopsy data from deceased patients has also revealed heavy accumulations of mast cells in the lungs and near blocked blood vessels.
In addition to causing direct nerve damage, overactive mast cells might intersect with other theorized Long COVID mechanisms. The chemicals they release can disrupt normal blood clotting, potentially contributing to the microscopic blood clots found in some patients. Their constant signaling might also skew the broader immune system, inducing the autoimmune responses seen long after the virus clears.
If hyperactive mast cells are causing neurological symptoms, targeting them directly might offer symptom relief. The review evaluated several potential therapeutic strategies reported in recent clinical literature. Standard antihistamines, which block the cellular receptors for one of the main chemicals released by mast cells, have provided mixed outcomes.
Some case reports describe patients achieving remission from autonomic nervous system issues after starting antihistamine therapy. However, human mast cells can release up to 390 different inflammatory mediators depending on the trigger. Blocking histamine alone might not be sufficient to completely halt the widespread nerve damage.
The researchers point to other chemical interventions, such as naturally occurring plant compounds called flavonoids. Specifically, natural molecules like luteolin and quercetin appear to stabilize the outer membrane of mast cells. Laboratory studies suggest these compounds prevent the cells from releasing their contents in the first place, rather than just blocking single mediators after they are loose in the tissue.
Another proposed treatment is alpha-lipoic acid, a natural antioxidant involved in cellular energy production. Previous research indicates this compound helps neutralize oxidative stress in biological tissues. It has also shown promise in promoting nerve regeneration and suppressing pain signals traveling along damaged nerve fibers.
While the biological mechanism appears plausible, the researchers outline several caveats to their conclusions. Narrative reviews synthesize existing evidence but do not act as standalone experiments to confirm a hypothesis. Much of the underlying data comes from isolated test tube studies, animal models, and individual patient case reports.
Additionally, blood tests designed to measure mast cell activation are not consistently elevated in all Long COVID patients. Because the results of these tests were not statistically significant across all cohorts, the authors suggest this might be because mast cell activity fluctuates. The inflammation might also be localized inside specific organ tissues rather than circulating through the whole body in high concentrations.
The wide variation in patient responses to immune-modulating treatments indicates that Long COVID is likely an umbrella term for several distinct biological problems. Mast cell dysfunction might be a primary driver for some individuals, while persistent viral fragments or blood clotting issues might dominate in others. These distinct but overlapping biological pathways make diagnosing and treating the condition exceptionally difficult.
The exact sequence of events leading from an initial respiratory infection to chronic nerve pain remains partially theoretical. Addressing this knowledge gap will require prospective clinical trials specifically designed to track mast cell activity over time. Until then, understanding this specific immune response offers a rational foundation for developing targeted therapies to help those suffering from chronic post-viral illness.
The study, “Long COVID neuropathy: The role of mast cells,” was authored by Zachary L. Morcos and Theoharis C. Theoharides.
URL: https://www.psypost.org/how-overactive-immune-cells-might-drive-nerve-pain-in-long-covid/
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