NEWS
SARS-CoV-2’s long-term impact on immune system
In a study recently published in the renowned journal Allergy, a MedUni Vienna research team shows that COVID-19 leads to considerable long-term changes in the immune system, even in mild cases. The findings could help to better understand the long-term consequences of an infection with SARS-CoV-2. As part of the study, the team
from MedUni Vienna’s Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology examined relevant immune parameters in 133 subjects who had recovered from COVID-19 and 98 subjects
UK NEQAS hosting quality standards in POCT event
‘Navigating Quality Standards in Point of Care Testing’ is a day-long seminar hosted by UK NEQAS, taking place in Birmingham on 23 October, 2024. The day will feature a lineup of engaging and interesting talks from a range of expert speakers, as well as trade exhibitors and networking opportunities. Delegates will get a chance to expand their knowledge, network with industry leaders, and contribute to POCT advancement. The seminar programme aims to offer valuable insights into UK NEQAS and its impact on advancing POCT as well as exploring current trends and challenges in POCT and the significance of POCT standards in ISO 15189. Scheduled speakers include: Dr Finlay MacKenzie, UK NEQAS Clinical Chemistry/Birmingham Quality; Dr Marit Orav, UK NEQAS Microbiology; Rosie Forster, UK NEQAS Clinical Chemistry/Birmingham Quality; Chris Reilly-Stitt, UK NEQAS Blood Coagulation as well as representatives from the IBMS and UKAS. The venue is The Hyatt Regency
Hotel, Birmingham, UK. On the day, delegates are welcome to arrive from 09:00 for registration, refreshments, meet the exhibitors and networking, ready for the main event to start at 10:00. Cost to attend is £40 plus VAT. To book your place visit https://
ukneqas.org.uk/events.
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without the infection. The number and composition of various immune cells as well as cytokines and growth factors in the blood, which play a decisive role in the regulation of cell growth, were analysed in the recovered patients ten weeks and ten months after their initial infection. As no COVID-19 vaccines were available during the observational period in 2020, all participants remained unvaccinated. This allowed the study authors to investigate the long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection without the influence of vaccines.
A comparison with the patient samples obtained ten months after the COVID-19 disease revealed even after mild disease progression, there was a significant reduction of immune cells in the blood. In addition, the well-known drop in SARS- CoV-2-specific antibodies and an change in growth factor patterns in the blood were observed. For COVID-19 convalescent subjects, this means that their immune system may no longer be responding optimally to new challenges. This may provide an explanation for some of the observed sequelae of COVID-19, such as long COVID. n Kratzer B, Gattinger P, Trapin D, et al. Differential decline of SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody levels, innate and adaptive immune cells, and shift of Th1/inflammatory to Th2 serum cytokine levels long after first COVID-19. Allergy. Published online July 14, 2024. doi:10.1111/all.16210.
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