The research studies led by Michael Peluso expose COVID antigens continuing in the blood for up to 14 months and in tissue samples for over 2 years, recommending a possible link to long-term health effects.The COVID-19 infection can persist in the blood and tissue of patients for more than a year after the acute phase of the health problem has ended, according to brand-new research study from UC San Francisco that offers possible ideas to why some people establish long COVID.The scientists discovered pieces of SARS-CoV-2, referred to as COVID antigens, sticking around in the blood up to 14 months after infection and for more than 2 years in tissue samples from individuals who had COVID. Using an ultra-sensitive test for the COVID “spike” protein, which assists the infection break into human cells, the scientists found the infection was still present up to 14 months later in some people.Among those who were hospitalized for COVID, the probability of discovering the COVID antigens was about twice as high as it was for those who were not.”As a clinician, these associations convince me that we are on to something, due to the fact that it makes sense that somebody who had been sicker with COVID would have more antigen that can stick around,” Peluso said.Virus continues for up to 2 years in tissueSince the virus is thought to continue in the tissue reservoirs, the researchers turned to UCSFs Long COVID Tissue Bank, which includes samples donated by patients with and without long COVID.They discovered portions of viral RNA for up to 2 years after infection, although there was no proof that the individual had actually become reinfected.
