A groundbreaking study from Karolinska Institutet has uncovered distinctive blood biomarkers associated with long Covid's severe respiratory symptoms. Researchers analyzed blood samples from 265 patients, identifying specific proteins linked to inflammatory processes and potential lung damage. The findings, published in Nature Immunology, could revolutionize long Covid diagnosis and treatment strategies. By mapping these protein patterns, scientists hope to develop targeted therapeutic approaches for patients experiencing persistent Covid-related health challenges.
May 02, 2025
Study finds long Covid biomarkers in blood linked to respiratory problems
"By
identifying the proteins that are elevated in affected patients, we're creating
a platform from which to develop diagnostic tools" - Dr. Marcus Buggert
A team of
Swedish researchers has identified biomarkers in the blood associated with
symptoms of long Covid, particularly severe respiratory disorders.
Key Points
1 Swedish team discovers unique blood biomarkers in
long Covid patients
2 Advanced protein analysis reveals inflammatory
signal pathways
3 Research offers potential diagnostic and treatment
breakthrough
4 Study analyzed 265 patients from Sweden and UK
Long Covid is a
condition characterised by persistent symptoms including acute breathlessness
and fatigue, after an infection caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
The team from
Karolinska Institutet discovered a set of proteins in the blood of people with
long Covid. The findings may pave the way for future diagnosis and treatment.
"The
proteins were mainly found in patients with long Covid and severe respiratory
problems," said Marcus Buggert, docent at the Department of Medicine,
Karolinska Institutet.
"This is a
biomarker pattern that we know to be linked to inflammatory signal pathways
involved in cell death and lung damage and that has also been observed in other
patient groups with severe pulmonary disorders," he added.
For the study,
the team analysed blood samples from 265 patients in Sweden and the UK, who
contracted Covid when no vaccine was yet available.
Using advanced
techniques, the researchers measured thousands of proteins in the blood plasma,
which they related to the patient's symptoms.
The results,
published in the journal Nature Immunology, exposed the underlying biological
processes that can cause certain patients to experience severe symptoms long
after previous Covid-19.
"By
identifying the proteins that are elevated in affected patients, we're creating
a platform from which to develop diagnostic tools and new targeted
therapies," Dr. Buggert said. "This is especially important since
there are no specific biomarkers and treatments for long Covid."
The team next
aims to study lung and gastrointestinal tissue to understand what underpins
this pattern.
This will likely
enable them to locate the source of the identified proteins and find if there
is any remaining inflammation or tissue damage in specific organs of patients
with long Covid, they said.
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