https://en.sputniknews.africa/20241201/lingering-covid-19-russian-researchers-trying-to-determine-how-long-the-virus-lingers-in-the-body-1069498939.html
Lingering COVID-19: Russian Researchers Trying to Determine How Long the Virus Lingers in the Body
Lingering COVID-19: Russian Researchers Trying to Determine How Long the Virus Lingers in the Body
Sputnik Africa
Russian researchers are investigating the long-term persistence of COVID-19 in the human body, aiming to clarify whether the virus remains detectable... 01.12.2024, Sputnik Africa
2024-12-01T16:13+0100
2024-12-01T16:13+0100
2024-12-01T16:13+0100
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Leading the study, biologist Olga Balan of the Russian Academy of Sciences told Sputnik that despite the COVID-19 pandemic receding, the question of the virus's long-term presence remains unanswered.The leader of the study, aimed at deepening knowledge of the biology of coronaviruses and their interaction with the host organism, pointed out that identical findings have been made by other foreign laboratories.More Questions Than AnswersThe scientist admitted that there are still many questions about SARS-CoV-2, and that more will arise as the work progresses.Once researchers understand how the coronavirus does this, they'll be able to determine exactly how long it persists in the body, Olga Balan added.Where Does the Virus Hide?The coronavirus is known to enter the body through cells that possess the angiotensin-converting enzyme type II (ACE2) receptor. However, it is present in almost all cells, said the research team leader.She added that the coronavirus primarily attacks epithelial cells that line the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract and intestines. It also targets cells in the bloodstream.Why Are Treatments So Slow to Arrive?The fact that scientists do not know all the targets of SARS-CoV-2 makes the creation of a drug very complex, revealed Olga Balan.She doesn't rule out the possibility that in the future, scientists will learn to use certain enzymes to slow down the virus' activity. However, she warns that such a drug could also affect the enzyme activity in human cells.
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russia, science, research, covid-19, heath, international, virus
Lingering COVID-19: Russian Researchers Trying to Determine How Long the Virus Lingers in the Body
Muhammad Nooh Osman
Writer/Editor
Russian researchers are investigating the long-term persistence of COVID-19 in the human body, aiming to clarify whether the virus remains detectable indefinitely.
Leading the study, biologist Olga Balan of the Russian Academy of Sciences told
Sputnik that despite the
COVID-19 pandemic receding, the question of the virus's long-term presence remains unanswered.
"Although some time has passed since the pandemic, we still don't know for sure whether this virus stays in the body forever," Balan said. "Our studies of blood cells have shown that viral residues can be detected in the body even a year after infection."
The leader of the study, aimed at deepening knowledge of the biology of coronaviruses and their interaction with the host organism, pointed out that identical findings have been made by other foreign
laboratories.
More Questions Than Answers
The scientist admitted that there are still many questions about SARS-CoV-2, and that more will arise as the work progresses.
"Some Russian laboratories, including ours, are studying the mechanisms used by SARS-CoV-2 to maintain its particles in the body. Some RNA-containing viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, use intracellular host mechanisms to avoid being eliminated," she added.
Once researchers understand how the coronavirus does this, they'll be able to determine exactly how long it persists in the body, Olga Balan added.
Where Does the Virus Hide?
The coronavirus is known to enter the body through cells that possess the angiotensin-converting enzyme type II (ACE2) receptor. However, it is present in almost all cells, said the research team leader.
She added that the
coronavirus primarily attacks epithelial cells that line the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract and intestines. It also targets cells in the bloodstream.
"No matter what human organ we look at, we find cells that the virus 'likes,'" she explained. "However, we still don't know whether coronavirus infection can be considered a seasonal phenomenon or whether, like herpes, it is present in the body throughout life and reactivates at times when the immune system is weakened."
Why Are Treatments So Slow to Arrive?
The fact that scientists do not know all the targets of SARS-CoV-2 makes the creation of a drug very complex, revealed Olga Balan.
She doesn't rule out the possibility that in the future, scientists will learn to use certain enzymes to slow down the virus' activity. However, she warns that such a drug could also affect the enzyme activity in human cells.
