"Zombie Corona": Remnants that attack the immune system and kill its cells

 

covid-19

"Zombie Corona": Remnants that attack the immune system and kill its cells

Many may think that the danger of the coronavirus ends once the infection disappears, but a recent scientific study reveals a more complex and worrying picture; remnants of the coronavirus may remain inside the body, behaving like “zombies” that attack the immune system from within.

The study, conducted by an international team of more than 30 researchers, explains that the virus breaking down within the body does not mean its effects end. When the virus breaks down, small protein fragments are formed, capable of targeting and destroying specific immune cells, which may explain some of the chronic and debilitating symptoms experienced by millions of people with long COVID.

The researchers explain that these viral fragments attack cells that have "spiky" or branching structures on their surface. These cells include dendritic cells, the first line of defense that detects viruses and alerts the immune system, and T cells (CD4 and CD8) responsible for coordinating the immune response and killing infected cells.

According to scientists, these cells are extremely important, and any decline in their numbers or efficiency could lead to long-term weakening of immunity and increased inflammation within the body.

A new interpretation of long COVID

Previous studies had observed a decrease in T cells in some infected individuals, but this study offers a more accurate explanation; it is not just the infection itself that is the problem, but what the virus leaves behind.

The researchers say that the variety of these protein fragments makes their effect more complex, and may explain why people who already have immune disorders are more prone to long-term COVID complications, even if they appear healthy on the outside.
The study also offers an explanation for one of the biggest mysteries of the pandemic: "How was the 'Omicron' variant so contagious but less deadly?"

The researchers found that omekron breaks down into a greater number of protein fragments, but is weaker in its ability to kill immune cells, allowing the immune system to remain more cohesive compared to previous variants.

Despite the decline in pandemic-related discussions, the coronavirus still causes approximately 100,000 deaths annually in the United States alone, and millions more suffer from long COVID. Recent studies suggest that the risk of developing this condition may increase with repeated infections, in both children and adults.

Doctors and researchers confirm that these findings reinforce the importance of vaccination, not only to avoid acute infection, but also to reduce the chances of developing long-term COVID.

The conclusion that emerges from the study is clear: the danger lies not only in the virus itself, but also in its remaining effects within the body, effects that may continue to haunt the immune system for a long time after the infection has ended.