Altered leukocyte pattern and inflammatory markers in unvaccinated long covid patients: a cross-sectional study
Long Covid results from the damage caused by SARS-CoV-2, involving the release of cytokines and the continuous activation of immune cells. This cross-sectional study investigates leukocyte and cytokine profiles in Long Covid patients in the Amazon, a region where such studies are limited. Blood samples were analysed for differential leukocyte counts and cytokine levels. We suggest elevated lymphocyte counts in hospitalised patients and those with severe COVID-19. Higher eosinophil counts were observed in patients with up to three months of Long Covid, and increased monocyte counts in those with up to six months. IL-2 levels were higher in patients with fewer symptoms and Long Covid duration of more than three months, whereas IL-10 may remain elevated for up to 12 months. We suggest positive correlations between neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils, and lymphocytes with different cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-4, IL-17a, IL-2). Women were associated with lower hospitalisation rates and longer durations of Long Covid; increased lymphocyte counts were linked to hospitalisation due to COVID-19, while higher monocyte counts were associated with Long Covid durations of up to six months. We suggest that Long Covid patients may exhibit alterations in inflammatory markers, indicating a persistently pro-inflammatory microenvironment that tends to diminish after 12 months of Long Covid.
Authors
- Luiz Fábio Magno Falcão (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8391-2694)
- Juarez Antônio Simões Quaresma (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6267-9966)
- Vanessa Costa Alves Galúcio (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5099-307X)
- Patrícia Danielle Lima de Lima (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1068-2813)
- Ândrea Ribeiro‐dos‐Santos (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7001-1483)
- Antônio Carlos Rosário Vallinoto (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1135-6507)
- Maria Alice Freitas Queiroz (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2014-2770)
- Igor Brasil Costa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2600-4109)
- Maria Clara da Costa Barros (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5886-4069)
- Elem Cristina Rodrigues Chaves (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6252-6361)
- Maria Helena Rodrigues de Mendonça (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0571-0565)
- Igor Costa de Lima (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3773-7319)
- Jorge Rodrigues de Sousa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4680-3477)
- Daniel Carvalho de Menezes
Institutions
- Universidade da Amazônia (BR)
- Universidade de São Paulo (BR)
- Universidade do Estado do Pará (BR)
- Ministério da Saúde (BR)
- Universidade Federal do Pará (BR)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Scientific Reports
- Published
- 2024-11-19
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-75920-1
- Citations
- 2
- Primary Topic
- Long-Term Effects of COVID-19
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.74
Funders
- Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior
- Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico
- Fundação Amazônia Paraense de Amparo à Pesquisa
- Universidade Federal do Pará
- Pró-Reitoria de Pesquisa e Pós-Graduação, Universidade Federal do Pará