Persistent Viral Infection and Autoimmunity: Insights from Professor Carmen Scheibenbogen

🦠Viral persistence and the presence of viral residues, such as spike protein, may play a role in ME/CFS and Long COVID.

🔬Autoimmunity, where the immune system attacks the body's own cells, can be triggered by the presence of autoantibodies produced in response to the virus.

💊Current treatments being explored include immune absorption to remove autoantibodies and targeted therapies that suppress inflammation and disrupt antibody production.

🌡️Inflammation, both viral-induced and ongoing, may contribute to the development and persistence of autoimmunity in ME/CFS and Long COVID.

🧪Research is ongoing to identify biomarkers and diagnostic assessments that can indicate specific mechanisms and guide targeted therapies.

Can viral persistence explain the long-term symptoms of ME/CFS and Long COVID?

—There is growing evidence that viral residues, including spike protein, can persist in some individuals, leading to ongoing inflammation and potentially triggering autoimmunity, which may explain the long-term symptoms.

How are autoantibodies involved in ME/CFS and Long COVID?

—Autoantibodies are produced in response to the virus, but in some individuals, they may cross-react with certain structures in the body, leading to the immune system attacking its own cells and contributing to the development of ME/CFS and Long COVID symptoms.

What treatments are being explored for ME/CFS and Long COVID?

—Ongoing research is investigating immune absorption to remove autoantibodies and targeted therapies that suppress inflammation and disrupt antibody production. These approaches aim to address the underlying mechanisms of the diseases and provide long-term symptom relief.

What role does inflammation play in ME/CFS and Long COVID?

—Inflammation, both viral-induced and ongoing, can contribute to the development and persistence of autoimmunity in ME/CFS and Long COVID. Immune modulation and targeted anti-inflammatory treatments are being studied to alleviate symptoms and promote recovery.

Are there personalized treatment options for ME/CFS and Long COVID?

—Given the complex and multifaceted nature of ME/CFS and Long COVID, personalized treatments that target specific mechanisms are being explored. Comprehensive biomarker analysis and diagnostic assessments can guide the selection of appropriate therapies for individual patients.

00:45Professor Carmen Scheibenbogen discusses the possible role of viral persistence and autoimmunity in ME/CFS and Long COVID.

05:13There is growing evidence that viral residues, including spike protein, can persist in some individuals, leading to ongoing inflammation and potentially triggering autoimmunity.

08:08Ongoing research is investigating immune absorption to remove autoantibodies and targeted therapies that suppress inflammation and disrupt antibody production.

10:40Inflammation, both viral-induced and ongoing, can contribute to the development and persistence of autoimmunity in ME/CFS and Long COVID.

12:25Given the complex nature of ME/CFS and Long COVID, personalized treatments that target specific mechanisms are being explored.