Identifiable biomarkers may provide objective evidence in proving a Long COVID claim. A recent report highlights developments in identifying the risk of Long COVID through immune profiling.
SARS-CoV-2 infection can result in the development of a constellation of persistent sequelae following acute disease called post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) or Long COVID1–3.
Individuals diagnosed with Long COVID frequently report unremitting fatigue, post-exertional malaise, and a variety of cognitive and autonomic dysfunctions1–3; however, the basic biological mechanisms responsible for these debilitating symptoms are unclear.
Recommended Citation: Gelman, Jon L., Establishing Causal Relationship: Long COVID Biomarkers, Workers' Compensation Blog, Sept. 16, 2022),
Related Articles:
NJ Workers’ Compensation Benefit Rates to Increase in 2023 9/7/2022
Top 10 Workplace Safety and Health Violations 9/5/2022
Use of Opioid Settlement Funds in NJ 9/4/2022
Appeals Court Rejects Effort to Compel OSHA to Retain Healthcare ETS 8/29/2022
….
Jon L. Gelman of Wayne, NJ, is the author of NJ Workers’ Compensation Law (Thomson-Reuters) and co-author of the national treatise, Modern Workers’ Compensation Law (Thomson-Reuters). For over five decades, the Law Offices of Jon L Gelman 1.973.696.7900 jon@gelmans.com have represented injured workers and their families who have suffered occupational accidents and illnesses.
Website: www.gelmans.com
Blog: Workers ' Compensation
Twitter: jongelman
LinkedIn: JonGelman
LinkedIn Group: Injured Workers Law & Advocacy Group
Author: "Workers' Compensation Law" Thomson-Reuters
The report states, that 215 individuals were included in an exploratory, cross-sectional study to perform multi-dimensional immune phenotyping in conjunction with machine learning methods to identify key immunological features distinguishing Long COVID.
Marked differences were noted in specific circulating myeloid and lymphocyte populations relative to matched control groups, as well as evidence of elevated humoral responses directed against SARS-CoV-2 among participants with Long COVID. Further, unexpected increases were observed in antibody responses directed against non-SARS-CoV-2 viral pathogens, particularly Epstein-Barr virus.
Analysis of circulating immune mediators and various hormones also revealed pronounced differences, with cortisol levels being uniformly lower among participants with Long COVID relative to matched control groups. Integration of immune phenotyping data into unbiased machine learning models identified significant distinguishing features critical in the accurate classification of Long COVID, with decreased levels of cortisol being the most significant individual predictor.
These findings will help guide additional studies into the pathobiology of Long COVID and may aid in developing objective biomarkers for Long COVID.
