1 / 2023 // LEOPOLDINA / NEWS 13
“ We urgently need medicines ”
Understanding Long Covid – International Virtual Panel discusses latest research
After a SARS-CoV-2 infection some people still experience symptoms weeks or months after the acute phase . The latest results of research into “ Long Covid ” were recently presented to around 600 guests from 30 countries at the International Virtual Panel . Carmen Scheibenbogen , Acting Director of the Institute of Medical Immunology at the Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin / Germany was one of the experts involved .
People are coming to you with post-Covid syndrome , still experiencing symptoms more than three months after an infection . What symptoms do they have ? Carmen Scheibenbogen : There are a range of different symptoms and clinical pictures . We now have eleven special outpatient clinics in our Post Covid Network at the Charité , and patients are coming to us in the immunology department with suspected myalgic encephalomyelitis / chronic fatigue syndrome , abbreviated to ME / CFS . They are often no longer able to work and are suffering from fatigue and severe intolerance to exertion , cognitive disorders , also referred to as “ brain fog ”, pain and much more .
We often read that people with long or post-Covid suffer from fatigue . But is ME / CFS different to fatigue ? Scheibenbogen : Yes , fatigue is a common symptom of Long Covid , but is also a symptom of various other diseases , for example tumour fatigue . ME / CFS on the other hand is a disease of its own , which is triggered by different infections – and fatigue is only one symptom . There are many symptoms , but the main problem with ME / CFS is always a severe intolerance to exertion , with a worsening of symptoms often even after the least exertion .
What do we know about the development of ME / CFS ? Scheibenbogen : It is usually preceded by a severe infection . It more often affects those with an increased genetic risk for autoimmune diseases . This is why more women suffer from ME / CFS , and they more often develop autoimmune diseas-
LEOPOLDINA INTERNATIONAL VIRTUAL PANEL
The Leopoldina International Virtual Panel ( LIVP ) recently addressed the latest results of research into the causes and symptoms of Long Covid . Akiko Iwasaki ( University of Yale , USA ) presented the immunological basics of the disease , Marc Lecuit ( Institut Pasteur , France ) and Carmen Scheibenbogen ( Charité , Germany ) concentrated on two typical symptoms : the permanent loss of sense of smell and fatigue syndrome . Michael Edelstein ( Bar-Ilan University , Israel ) looked at Long Covid from the perspective of public health and at the same explained the protective effect of vaccinations in the context of Long Covid . Altogether around 600 interested parties were involved in the discussion . ■ KK
International Virtual Panel “ Long Covid ”
Carmen Scheibenbogen
Acting Director of the Institute of Medical Immunology , Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin / Germany
Image : Charité – Universtätsmedizin Berlin es . We do not yet fully understand the exact mechanisms . It is probable that anti bodies which are stimulated by the infection and then react incorrectly to the body ’ s own structures play a role , as is the case with other autoimmune diseases .
So a severe infection is the trigger for other processes ? Scheibenbogen : Exactly , some studies show that the Epstein Barr virus could also be the cause in the case of Covid . This is one of the Herpes viruses , which lie dormant and can be activated from time to time . And the risk of developing Long Covid is connected with the reactivation of the Epstein Barr virus during acute infection . It is possible that the virus is the common denominator for the various infectious diseases which can trigger ME / CFS .
There is now a National Clinical Study Group on Post Covid and ME / CFS , which has funding of ten million euros . What needs to be researched most urgently ? Scheibenbogen : We urgently need medicines which can treat the causes and cure the diseases . We are now starting treatment studies with medicines already approved for other diseases and combining them with a comprehensive biomarker and special diagnostic programme . In post Covid and ME / CFS muscle strength and the circulation to blood vessels is often reduced , and functional MRT also detects changes in the brain . For this purpose we have set up platforms and are learning so much more about the diseases . I am very happy that we now have this initial support . Unfortunately , the pharmaceutical industry is being very cautious and playing a waiting game , even though we urgently need support . We have so many seriously ill young people who need treatment now .
■ THE INTERVIEW WAS CONDUCTED BY CHRISTINE WERNER