Review Animal models of Long Covid: A hit-and-run disease, 2024, Schäfer et al.

Animal models of Long Covid: A hit-and-run disease
Alexandra Schäfer; Sarah R. Leist; John M. Powers; Ralph S. Baric

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV 2) pandemic has caused more than 7 million deaths globally. Despite the presence of infection-and vaccine-induced immunity, SARS-CoV-2 infections remain a major global health concern because of the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants that can cause severe acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) or enhance Long Covid disease phenotypes. About 5 to 10% of SARS-CoV-2–infected individuals develop Long Covid, which, similar to acute COVID 19, often affects the lung. However, Long Covid can also affect other peripheral organs, especially the brain. The causal relationships between acute disease phenotypes, long-term symptoms, and involvement of multiple organ systems remain elusive, and animal model systems mimicking both acute and post-acute phases are imperative.

Here, we review the current state of Long Covid animal models, including current and possible future applications.

Link | PDF (Science Translational Medicine) [Open Access]

 

I Would have thought that playing with 'animal models of Long Covid' would be one of the best ways to create yet another new virus that kills 20 million people. Why do these people have no sense of caution?

 

You mean another great opportunity to top up our collective immunity, thus making us stronger and more immune as a species in fighting pathogens, surely?

Surely if being constantly infected by pathogens is good for health, then adding new pathogens to be regularly infected with is a great thing, Shirley? The best thing, even.