Epstein-Barr virus reactivation is not causative for post-COVID-19-syndrome in individuals with asymptomatic or mild SARS-CoV-2 disease course

BMC Infectious Diseases, 2023 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-023-08820-w · Published: November 14, 2023

Simple Explanation

This study investigates whether Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation is a cause of post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS) in healthy adults who had mild or asymptomatic COVID-19. Researchers analyzed blood samples and survey responses from blood donors who had tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, looking for signs of EBV reactivation and PCS symptoms. The findings suggest that EBV reactivation is not a primary cause of PCS in this population, as no EBV DNA was detected in individuals reporting PCS.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

400 seropositive blood donors

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
18% of individuals with asymptomatic or mild SARS-CoV-2 infections experienced PCS symptoms lasting up to one year.
2
Individuals with PCS tended to report more symptoms during the acute phase of COVID-19, such as headache, body ache, shortness of breath, hyposmia and dysgeusia.
3
No evidence of EBV reactivation was found in individuals with PCS, based on EBV DNA detection and EBV-specific antibody levels.

Research Summary

This study aimed to determine the rate of post-COVID-19 syndrome (PCS) among SARS-CoV-2 seropositive blood donors and to investigate the role of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation in PCS. The results showed that 18% of SARS-CoV-2 infections resulted in PCS with symptoms lasting up to one year, and individuals with PCS reported more symptoms during the acute phase of COVID-19. However, the study found no evidence of EBV reactivation in individuals with PCS, suggesting that EBV reactivation is not a causative factor for PCS in this population.

Practical Implications

Focus on Other Mechanisms

Since EBV reactivation does not appear to be a primary cause of PCS in healthy adults, research should focus on other potential mechanisms, such as viral persistence, autoimmunity, or mitochondrial dysfunction.

Symptom Management

Given the high incidence of PCS following even mild COVID-19, healthcare providers should be prepared to manage long-lasting symptoms like fatigue, altered taste, and shortness of breath.

Targeted Research

Further research is needed to identify the specific causes of PCS in individuals with asymptomatic or mild COVID-19 to develop targeted therapeutic interventions.

Study Limitations

1
The study population was limited to healthy, immunocompetent adults, and the findings may not be generalizable to individuals with comorbidities or severe COVID-19.
2
PCS symptoms were self-reported, which could introduce bias.
3
The exact time of infection could not be determined for all participants, which could affect the accuracy of the analysis.

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