Long Covid and the Vascular Endothelium
Infection with SARS-CoV2 infection often involves the vascular endothelium, resulting in a variety of deleterious effects. Among these is endothelial dysfunction, distinct from endothelial injury, in which the vascular endothelium loses elasticity and the ability to vasodilate and vasoconstrict. It constitutes a type of non-obstructive coronary artery disease and is generally associated with impaired production…
Why Are Omicron Variants Less Lethal?
Omicron-derived SARS-CoV2 variants (exemplified most recently by XBB1.5(1)) are highly adept at evading immunity against vaccines and infection with previous variants and many parts of the world are currently experiencing high infection rates, yet deaths and hospitalizations have not proportionally increased. Why is this? Could previous waves have already killed those most vulnerable? Has increased…
Global Virus Network (GVN) Leaders Publish STAT Op-Ed with a U.S. Government Call to Action and Road Map for the Future of COVID-19
BALTIMORE, MD, January 31, 2023: STAT today published “How the Biden Administration’s COVID preparedness policies could narrow America’s political divide” co-authored by leadership of the Global Virus Network (GVN), representing 68 Centers of Excellence and 11 Affiliates in 37 countries, and comprising foremost experts in every class of virus causing disease in humans and some…
Surge of SARS-CoV-2 Variants in China and USA Further Emphasizes Need for Surveillance, Preparedness, and International Collaborations
BALTIMORE, MD, January 9, 2023: Christian Bréchot, MD, PhD, President of the Global Virus Network (GVN), Associate Vice President for International Partnerships and Innovation at the University of South Florida and Professor of the Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine at USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, the GVN Southeast U.S. Regional Headquarters…
GVN Statement on SARS-CoV-2 Variant BF7
SARS-CoV-2 variants continue to appear worldwide. There is some concern about the variant BF7, shorthand for BA.5.2.1.7, which reportedly is spreading in China. BA.5.2.1.7 is part of the Omicron lineage of SARS-CoV-2 and had been indicated as a potential variant of concern. Recent data from the US CDC and other agencies in other countries, however, show…
Vaccine and Post-Infection Immunity
Immunity against SARS-CoV-2 is acquired in two ways, infection and vaccination. How do they differ? Which is “better”? In comparisons, consideration must be given to rates of infection, transmission, hospitalization, death, and long COVID as well as innate, humoral and cell-mediated immune responses. The only correlate of protection that is currently considered robust is the…
Covid Alteration of the Gut Microbiome: A Factor in Long Covid?
October 6, 2022 In a previous Perspective we considered the relationship between Covid pathology and the gut microbiome. Since then, new studies have shed additional light on the topic. We will consider these new findings, including whether dysregulation of the microbiome might be related to long Covid. INTRODUCTION As we pointed out previously, there is…
Is Infection of Astrocytes a Causative Factor in COVID Brain Fog?
September 12, 2022 INTRODUCTION One of the prominent symptoms of COVID-19, especially long COVID, is called “brain fog”, which includes deficits in attention and concentration, memory, and executive function. This raises the question of the cause. One possibility is that it is only an indirect effect from dysregulated immune activity and/or inflammation. A second possibility is that it is due to direct infection of cell populations within the…
Further Thoughts on Viral Persistence
August 2, 2022 INTRODUCTION Our previous Perspectives focused on the question of whether persistent cryptic expression of virus might be contributory to long COVID. To further consider this question, it may be useful to look at examples of persistence by other viruses. DNA VIRUSES The clearest and most easily understood examples of persistence are found…