A Study Evaluates The Effects Of Vaccines In Persistent Covid

Several research centers and hospitals in Catalonia have started a study to analyze the effect of vaccination in people with persistent covid .

Researchers from the Institut Universitari de Recerca en Atenció Primària Jordi Gol (IDIAP – Jordi Gol), the Institut de Salut Global de Barcelona (ISGlobal) and the Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR) want to understand the immunopathogenic mechanisms of persistent covid and evaluate the effect and duration of vaccines . It is believed that covid vaccines could help some people with persistent covid by decreasing the intensity of symptoms. The study has a sample of 300 patients.

Patients with persistent covid are those with symptoms for more than four weeks from the onset of the disease. It is estimated that up to 10% of these patients can suffer it and the repercussions can last for six months.

Woman under 45 years of age
The persistent covid profile corresponds mainly to a woman under 45 years of age , who during the infection did not require hospitalization and who lives with the symptoms months after infection, according to the principal investigator of the Clinical Research / Innovation in Pneumonia and Sepsis (CRIPS) group ) of the VHIR, Jordi Rello.

There are various hypotheses about the causes . One could be that the virus or virus proteins persist in certain areas of the body producing an inflammatory response. Another is that this response to infection occurs very strongly and this causes tissue damage . It could also be that autoimmune antibodies are being produced that could be attacking different tissues of the body.

Improve Life Quality
The study’s principal investigator at ISGlobal, Gemma Moncunill, has highlighted the importance of finding biomarkers in order to be able to search for effective treatments, carry out follow-up and improve the quality of life of patients.

Neuroscientist Sonia Villapol.
THURSDAY, DAY 28
Neuroscientist Sonia Villapol talks live in EL PERIÓDICO about persistent covid
It is believed that the vaccines could help reduce symptoms , but it is unknown if all current vaccines would have that potential beneficial effect, how long they would last and the mechanisms.

Previous study
In a previous collaborative study by IDIAP – Jordi Gol, the group of People Affected and Persistently Affected by Covid and the Institut Català de la Salut, in which more than 2000 people participated, the clinical profiles of persistent covid and its relationship with quality of life. Now, in this study, the immunopathogenic mechanisms will be investigated by analyzing the profile of antibodies against the virus, autoimmune antibodies , biomarkers of tissue damage and immune activation and inflammation .

Joan Manel Heredia, with persistent covid.
In addition, the effect of the vaccines in these people will be evaluated . To do this, participants must attend one of the seven centers set up throughout the territory to have a blood drawn in several visits over two years.

This research is being carried out in collaboration with the Collective of People Affected and Persistent Affected by Covid in Catalonia and is funded by the Daniel Bravo Private Foundation .