A recent study conducted in the UK revealed distinct patterns of inflammation in the blood of individuals experiencing long COVID, particularly those who had been hospitalised with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. This inflammation was detected even months after the acute infection had resolved.
The study identified different immune system activations depending on the predominant symptoms experienced by patients, such as fatigue or cognitive impairment. Researchers suggest that existing drugs targeting the immune system could potentially be repurposed to treat long COVID, and they advocate for tailored treatments based on the specific immune signatures of different long COVID subtypes. However, the study’s limitation is noted: it focused on individuals with severe infections who were hospitalised, and further research is needed to understand long COVID in those with milder initial infections. This work underscores the complexity of long COVID and highlights the need for personalised approaches to treatment.