Identifying the Etiology of Post-acute Sequelae SARS-CoV-2 (PASC) Infection
Abstract
The viral illness coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected millions worldwide since its initial discovery in late 2019. After recovering from the primary viral infection, many have found themselves suffering new, ongoing, or recurrent COVID-19 symptoms in a condition referred to as long COVID or post-acute sequelae SARS-CoV-2 (PASC) infection. Presently, little is understood regarding the etiology of PASC. This literature review analyzes current theories of PASC development in adult humans after initial COVID-19 disease. An understanding of PASC’s developmental mechanism will pave the way for better-targeted therapies to treat patients diagnosed with this illness. Proposed PASC origin theories for discussion include: (1) persistent SARS-CoV-2 remains after initial COVID-19 infection; (2) immunosuppression during COVID-19 disease leads to hyperinflammation and subsequent symptoms; (3) microclots cause organ damage. The interplay between these theories reveals future study directions and implications. A deeper understanding of these PASC mechanisms allows research progression towards treatments that directly target the illness at its source.
Subject
COVID-19coronavirus disease-19
coronavirus disease 2019
SARS-CoV-2 disease
PASC
post-acute sequelae SARS-CoV-2
SARS-CoV-2
long COVID
long-haul COVID-19
post-COVID-19 syndrome
pathophysiology
etiology
virus
Citation
Marshall, Perri E (2022). Identifying the Etiology of Post-acute Sequelae SARS-CoV-2 (PASC) Infection. Undergraduate Research Scholars Program. Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /196591.