This is the longest documented case of the disease – and helps to perceive the functioning of coronavirus. Sick had been about 20 years ago.
A man of 41 years in the United States lived with over more than 750 days in a rowregistering the longest documented case of the disease and providing new information on how the virus can evolve into immunocompromised individuals.
The man, who lived with HIV/page Since 2002, it has not consistently followed antiretrovirical therapy (TAR). Contracted Covid-19 in May 2020 and presented Symptoms Persistent, including cough, fatigue and headaches. Over the course of more than two years, it has repeatedly tested positive For the virus, remaining infected to his death.
Researchers at Medical University of South Carolina collected eight clinical samples of the patient, using genomic sequencing to track the evolution of the virus in his body.
Revealed him significant mutations In the virus spike protein, allowing it to escape antibodies and improve its connection to human cells. Some of these mutations showed notable similarities to those observed later in the Omicron variant, suggesting that prolonged infections in immunocompromised individuals may serve as fertile ground for the emergence of potentially dangerous new variants.
Unlike infections in the general population, where repeated transmission creates genetic bottlenecks, the virus in a single compromised host can evolve continuously. The investigation found that, despite the overall circulation of alpha, delta and omicron variants, No superinfection occurredhighlighting the specific adaptation of the virus to this individual.
The case underlines the urgent need for access to effective HIV treatments, both to protect immunocompromised patients and to reduce opportunities for viral evolution. The study also appeals to greater attention from public health authorities to vulnerable populations, in order to prevent the emergence of more deadly Covid-19 variants, says.
“This report emphasizes that SARS-COV-2 can establish a chronic and non-lethal infection in immunocompromised individuals, leading to a considerable viral evolution,” the researchers concluded, highlighting the double challenge of protecting high-risk patients and mitigating future pandemic threats.
