Chronic inflammation in Long COVID relationship to autoimmune diseases

Abstract

The new coronavirus pandemic has been ongoing for nearly five years. In addition to the severe symptoms in the acute phase, it is accompanied by long-term complications and sequelae involving the respiratory, neurological, immune, circulatory, and gastrointestinal systems for several months or even years, which is called the Long COVID. Many studies have suggested that systemic chronic inflammation caused by residual viral components may be one of the pathophysiologic mechanisms of Long COVID. In this paper, we will review the autoimmune diseases caused by chronic inflammation. In particular, cytokine storminess, pro-inflammatory responses of inflammatory vesicles, mast cell activation syndrome, changes in the gut microbiota, molecular mimicry, reactivation of latent viruses, and coagulation abnormalities are among the pathways that contribute to autoimmune diseases, including Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Guillain-Barré syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis. We intervene in the treatment of the disease with probiotics, immunoglobulins, the RECOVER clinical trial model, and immunomodulatory drugs. The aim is to enhance understanding of the pathophysiological mechanism of Long COVID and to provide a reference for the immunotherapy of patients.