A study led by the University of Queensland has found evidence of inflammatory markers in the blood of long COVID patients that could explain the ongoing cardiovascular issues experienced by many individuals with long COVID. The team, led by Associate Professor Kirsty Short, sought to investigate the cause of persistent chest pain and heart palpitations commonly reported by long COVID sufferers. Their analysis of blood samples from individuals about 18 months post-infection with SARS-CoV-2 revealed elevated levels of cytokines, proteins that help regulate inflammation in the body.
Furthermore, lab studies showed that these trace cytokines had a direct impact on the functionality of cardiomyocytes, the cells responsible for the heart’s pumping function. Damage to these cells, which are crucial building blocks for the heart, can lead to cardiovascular symptoms. The study aimed to shed light on the role of chronic inflammation in cardiovascular symptoms, particularly in individuals experiencing symptoms persisting for more than a year after their initial infection with the virus. The research involved analyzing blood samples from 50 participants across Australia who had either suffered from long COVID for over a year, recovered from COVID, or never had the virus.
The researchers utilized ‘immuno-storm chip’ nanotechnology developed at UQ’s Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology to identify elevated cytokines in the long COVID cohort, as well as markers of cardiac tissue damage measured at single-molecule resolution in blood samples. Dr. Short mentioned the need for further validation of these results in additional patient cohorts, including those infected with more recent strains of SARS-CoV-2. The team is also interested in exploring whether these findings could be applied to other symptoms of long COVID, such as neurological or respiratory issues, as the study focused on individuals with chest pain and heart palpitations.
Despite its limitations, the research provides valuable insights into the complex nature of long COVID and may pave the way for improved diagnosis, treatment, and understanding of the condition. The study was led by UQ PhD candidates in collaboration with various UQ faculties and institutes, as well as external partners such as the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, and the University of Adelaide. Samples for the research were sourced from the COVID OZGenetics study, the Central Adelaide Health Network, and the David Serisier Research Biobank at Mater Research.
The research findings have been published in the journal Nature Microbiology, highlighting the significance of uncovering the role of chronic inflammation in cardiovascular symptoms among long COVID patients. This study contributes to the growing body of research aimed at understanding the mechanisms underlying long COVID and its diverse range of symptoms. By identifying the impact of cytokines on heart cells and cardiac tissue damage, the research offers important insights that could potentially lead to advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of long COVID. Further research is needed to confirm and build upon these findings, with a focus on exploring the broader implications of chronic inflammation in long COVID.
