New insights from study could help understand long COVID better

New study suggests blood plasma proteins hold answers to better understanding long COVID. (Envatoelements/ckstockphoto) Western researchers find unique blood plasma protein patterns in patients with prolonged fatigue, brain fog Using advanced research techniques, including a form of artificial intelligence, a team of researchers has discovered unique patterns of blood plasma proteins in patients with suspected long COVID that could improve patient outcomes. Currently, approximately 10-20 per cent of people with a confirmed case of COVID-19 will get long COVID. "Those patients experience a wide variety of symptoms, which may include fatigue, brain fog, and difficulty breathing," said Dr. Douglas Fraser , professor in the department of paediatrics at Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry  and physician at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC). "Their quality of life can be significantly altered, so anything that we can do to learn about this disorder and identify potential treatment targets is very important." Called "the plasma proteome," the proteins are found in blood plasma and are released by cells that often play an important role in the body's immune response to viruses. The research team is studying how those proteins adapt and change in long COVID. "Trying to understand this mechanism is quite important because it provides further insight into how patients are affected," says Dr. Michael Nicholson, associate scientist at Lawson, and respirologist at St. Joseph's Health Care London.