Dr Benjamin Krishna and the Virology & Immunology team at Cambridge University have identified a protein, elevated in the blood of Long Covid patients, that could act as a potential biomarker for the condition. This week, we spoke to Dr Krishna about their study, published in Science, which sampled the blood of Long Covid patients across several years. They found Interferon Gamma (IFNɣ) at, an average of, six times the normal level. IFNɣ is a key protein in the body’s immune response, a moderator of inflammation and a mediator for fighting infection. These raised levels of IFNɣ are indicative of the immune system remaining active throughout Long Covid. The team found that levels returned to normal in patients once they recovered from the disease.

These findings could help develop treatment strategies and offer a clear diagnosis for some Long Covid patients.

Living with Long Covid? How was your week?

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Dr Theoharis Theoharides, aka “The Mast Cell Master”, has been exploring the world of Mast Cells, their influence on our bodily functions, neurology and genetic make up, for over half a century. The Director of the Center of Excellence for Neuroinflammation Research and Professor at the Institute for Neuro-Immune Medicine at Nova Southeastern University joins us this week to discuss the role that Mast Cells play in neurological conditions such as Long Covid, and the way in which we influence and change our mast cells' behaviour with our infections, stress levels, trauma and activity.

Living with Long Covid? How was your week?

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Conor Browne, an independent Biorisk Consultant, analyses biosecurity risks for governmental bodies, commercial enterprises and NGOs, aiding with business continuity, forecasting and policy. He understood that Covid-19 was airborne in February 2020 but, he says, “it’s the first message that sticks”.

In this week’s episode he discusses how our governments’ initial messaging of handwashing and surface-to-surface transmission had a huge impact on the course of the pandemic. We talk about the need for clean air in mitigating the perpetual spread of Covid-19, and he highlights the ultimate risks, of Long Covid, Covid-related illness and the viral mutations that could leave us with an even heavier burden than anticipated.

Living with Long Covid? How was your week?

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