Navigating the Post-COVID-19 Immunological Era: Understanding Long COVID-19 and Immune Response

• Published in: Life (Basel, Switzerland) Switzerland), 2023-10, Vol.13 (11), p.2121
• Main Authors: Mohan, Aditi, Iyer, Venkatesh Anand, Kumar, Dharmender, Batra, Lalit, Dahiya, Praveen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adults; Antibodies; Autoimmunity; Complications; COVID-19; Cytokine storm; Disease; Guillain-Barre syndrome; Health aspects; Illnesses; Immune response; immune responses; Immune system; Immunology; Immunomodulation; Immunotherapy; Infections; Inflammation; inflammatory diseases; Investigations; long COVID-19; Lymphocytes; Lymphocytes T; Methods; Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children; Older people; Pandemics; Pathology; Psychotherapy; Quality of life; Rehabilitation; Risk factors; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Signs and symptoms; treatment strategies
• ISSN: 2075-1729; 2075-1729
• DOI: 10.3390/life13112121

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the world unprecedentedly, with both positive and negative impacts. COVID-19 significantly impacted the immune system, and understanding the immunological consequences of COVID-19 is essential for developing effective treatment strategies. The purpose of this review is to comprehensively explore and provide insights into the immunological aspects of long COVID-19, a phenomenon where individuals continue to experience a range of symptoms and complications, even after the acute phase of COVID-19 infection has subsided. The immune system responds to the initial infection by producing various immune cells and molecules, including antibodies, T cells, and cytokines. However, in some patients, this immune response becomes dysregulated, leading to chronic inflammation and persistent symptoms. Long COVID-19 encompasses diverse persistent symptoms affecting multiple organ systems, including the respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological, and gastrointestinal systems. In the post-COVID-19 immunological era, long COVID-19 and its impact on immune response have become a significant concern. Post-COVID-19 immune pathology, including autoimmunity and immune-mediated disorders, has also been reported in some patients. This review provides an overview of the current understanding of long COVID-19, its relationship to immunological responses, and the impact of post-COVID-19 immune pathology on patient outcomes. Additionally, the review addresses the current and potential treatments for long COVID-19, including immunomodulatory therapies, rehabilitation programs, and mental health support, all of which aim to improve the quality of life for individuals with long COVID-19. Understanding the complex interplay between the immune system and long COVID-19 is crucial for developing targeted therapeutic strategies and providing optimal care in the post-COVID-19 era.