Research updates, August 11

Herpes Simplex Virons can reactivate in people hospitalized with COVID-19, according to a new study published in Nature. Researchers analyzed data from over 1,150 individuals and discovered that nearly half of them experienced the reactivation of herpes or Anelloviridae viruses. Co-author of the study noted that this reactivation occurred even in individuals with normal immune systems.

However, the researchers stress that their findings do not establish causation between reactivation and the severity of COVID-19 or Long COVID.

In a separate German clinical trial published in Nature Communications, scientists tested a combination of the steroid prednisolone and heart medication losartan on 279 Long COVID patients with cardiovascular symptoms. While the drug combination was deemed safe and well-tolerated, the trial did not meet its primary endpoint of demonstrating a significant improvement in heart function.

The study's authors suggest that the results could indicate that viral reactivation may contribute to the development of severe COVID-19 and Long COVID.

The National Institute of Health's RECOVER program has recently announced funding opportunities for pathobiology research. Investigators can apply for grants up to $800,000 per year for two years, and have the opportunity to utilize data and biosamples from both RECOVER's observational studies and clinical trials. The RECOVER press release encouraged applications from various eligible institutions, including higher education, government agencies, and for-profit organizations.

A new initiative called VIPER aims to expedite the discovery of biomarkers for Long COVID. This program will analyze data from RECOVER's observational studies and clinical trials to identify potential biomarkers. Additional details about VIPER can be found on the Research Opportunity Announcement page.