Thumbnail Photo by CDC on Unsplash
Announcements for the week:
Thanks to everyone who gave the Twitter account a follow. I hope to start sharing out some short-form TL;DRs on Twitter
I am starting a new section called ‘hope’. It will be experimental for now, but basically, I am hoping to share stories or news that will bring hope to people with LC.
For the Twitter account, see here. For my Reddit account, see here.
Media
‘A very lonely place to be’: Take COVID seriously, long-haulers warn
TL;DR: “If in the future a significant portion of the population is suffering from COVID and long-haul COVID simultaneously, this will be an extraordinary burden financially for everyone.‘ This piece talks about how some people who went through long covid are very anxious at the thought of getting reinfected(which is very relatable).
Encouraged by right-wing doctor groups, desperate patients turn to ivermectin for long Covid
TL;DR: “…ivermectin was initially promoted, despite the lack of research, as a way to treat or prevent Covid infections. Now it is increasingly being marketed for long Covid, pushed by physicians with ties to political groups spreading anti-vaccine and anti-science messaging.” “Two physician-led groups, America’s Frontline Doctors (AFLDS) and Front Line Covid-19 Critical Care Alliance (FLCCC), have been particularly active in promoting the drug, charging a minimum of $90 — and up to $1,650 to meet with the founder of the alliance” Ivermectin is highly lucrative for the doctors who sell it. “Ivermectin may help doctors get rich, but it’s not simply about the money. The drug’s appeal is intensely political.”
Doctors with Disabilities Push for Change as Long COVID Affects Their Workforce
TL;DR: Experts say, the impact of Long Covid on the health care workforce could be devastating. “The DocsWithDisabilities initiative, which started as a social media campaign in 2018 and then a podcast highlighting stories of disabled health care workers, will now include research groups, mentorship opportunities, policy recommendations and training for medical professionals on how to better include people with disabilities.”
Hope
AIM ImmunoTech reports positive Phase III Ampligen data in long Covid
TL;DR: Ampligen a shown some strong initial results for improve the chronic fatigue associated with Long Covid.
Polls
Research
Prediabetes Induces More Severe Acute COVID-19 Associated With IL-6 Production Without Worsening Long-Term Symptoms
TL;DR: “Patients with PDM (pre-diabetes) had longer hospital stays and required intensive care unit admission more frequently than NDM.” “However, at three months after discharge, those with PDM did not exhibit significant alterations in laboratory parameters or residual symptoms;”
Impact of Pre-Existing Chronic Viral Infection and Reactivation on the Development of Long COVID
TL;DR: [This was a very interesting article, I would highly recommend you read this] “Findings suggest differential effects of chronic viral co-infections on the likelihood of developing LC and predicted distinct syndromic patterns.” “Interestingly, participants reporting pre-existing autoimmune disease (mainly thyroiditis) and those who had detectable EBV(Mono) EA-D IgG responses had a higher odds of experiencing fatigue a median of four months following COVID-19 diagnosis.” While it appeared those who tested seropostive for CMV (cytomegalovirus) were less likely to develop LC symptoms.
Tunneling nanotubes provide a route for SARS-CoV-2 spreading
[Submitted by a reader, thanks!]
Note: Super technical read!
TL;DR: The infection of certain cells in the brain seems be mediated by the formation of tunneling nanotubes (TNT). “TNTs allow the direct transport of cargos including organelles, amyloid proteins and viral particles between distant cells.” Covid infection led to an increase in TNT connections between certain cells.
Sustained VWF-ADAMTS13 axis imbalance and endotheliopathy in Long COVID syndrome is related to immune dysfunction
Note: could not get the full article, but thought this sounded super interesting, so I thought I would share it!
Useful Definition: ‘The ADAMTS13 enzyme processes a large protein called von Willebrand factor. This protein is involved in the first step of blood clotting at the site of injury, which is to help cells called platelets stick together and attach to the walls of blood vessels, forming temporary clots.’ Source
TL;DR: There appears to be an imbalance between VWF/ADAMTS13 in Long Covid, in addition to Endothelial activation. “…our findings support the hypothesis that abnormal T cell and monocyte populations may be important in the context of persistent EC activation.”