Long-term Sequelae in Covid-19 patients; CT Findings

A study of 118 patients with Covid-19 had both baseline and six months follow-up computed tomograms.  At follow-up chest CT 72% of the patients showed fibrotic-like changes while 42% showed ground glass opacifications.  The researchers concluded that blending clinical data with baseline chest CT findings can effectively anticipate which Covid-19 patients are a higher risk of long-term sequelae. 

Risk Factors Associated with long Covid

Three new studies published in Cell, Nature and Gut found several risk factors that make patients prone in developing post acute sequelae Covid-19 (PASC) or long Covid.  

Those are Asthma, the presence of antibodies associated with autoimmune conditions and unhealthy gut bacteria.  Other risk factors were Type 2 diabetes and the detection of genetic material from SARS-CoV-2 in the blood, which means the virus escaped from the lungs and spread to other parts of the body.  Another risk factor was reactivated Epstein-Barr, the virus that causes infectious mononucleosis and infects about 90% of the people but normally remains dormant afterward.

Detectability of the PASC factors with tests early in the disease will assist in the understanding of emergent chronic conditions and more important will suggest specific long Covid treatment strategies.