Low Prevalence of Interferon α Autoantibodies in People Experiencing Symptoms of Post–Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Conditions, or Long COVID. (12th September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Peluso, Michael J; Mitchell, Anthea; Wang, Chung Yu; Takahashi, Saki; Hoh, Rebecca; Tai, Viva; Durstenfeld, Matthew S; Hsue, Priscilla Y; Kelly, J Daniel; Martin, Jeffrey N; Wilson, Michael R; Greenhouse, Bryan; Deeks, Steven G; DeRisi, Joseph L; Henrich, Timothy J
• Is Part Of: Journal of infectious diseases. Volume 227:Number 2(2023)
• Page Start: 246
• Page End: 250
• Publication Date: 2022-09-12
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- autoimmunity -- long COVID -- post-COVID conditions -- postacute sequalae of SARS-CoV-2 infection; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Diseases -- Causes and theories of causation -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9
• DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiac372
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-1899

Abstract

Abstract: Interferon (IFN)–specific autoantibodies have been implicated in severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and have been proposed as a potential driver of the persistent symptoms characterizing "long COVID, " a type of postacute sequelae of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. We report that only 2 of 215 participants with convalescent SARS-CoV-2 infection tested over 394 time points, including 121 people experiencing long COVID symptoms, had detectable IFN-α2 antibodies. Both had been hospitalized during the acute phase of the infection. These data suggest that persistent anti-IFN antibodies, although a potential driver of severe COVID-19, are unlikely to contribute to long COVID symptoms in the postacute phase of the infection. Abstract : Within a cohort of individuals with well-characterized post–coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) conditions, or "long COVID, " the authors identified only 2 with anti–interferon α2 autoantibodies, suggesting that these antibodies are unlikely to contribute to most cases of long COVID.