Pathophysiology of Post-COVID syndromes: a new perspective

Abstract

Most COVID-19 patients recovered with low mortality; however, some patients experienced long-term symptoms described as “long-COVID” or “Post-COVID syndrome” (PCS). Patients may have persisting symptoms for weeks after acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, including dyspnea, fatigue, myalgia, insomnia, cognitive and olfactory disorders. These symptoms may last for months in some patients. PCS may progress in association with the development of mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), which is a distinct kind of mast cell activation disorder, characterized by hyper-activation of mast cells with inappropriate and excessive release of chemical mediators. COVID-19 survivors, mainly women, and patients with persistent severe fatigue for 10 weeks after recovery with a history of neuropsychiatric disorders are more prone to develop PCS. High D-dimer levels and blood urea nitrogen were observed to be risk factors associated with pulmonary dysfunction in COVID-19 survivors 3 months post-hospital discharge with the development of PCS. PCS has systemic manifestations that resolve with time with no further complications. However, the final outcomes of PCS are chiefly unknown. Persistence of inflammatory reactions, autoimmune mimicry, and reactivation of pathogens together with host microbiome alterations may contribute to the development of PCS. The deregulated release of inflammatory mediators in MCAS produces extraordinary symptoms in patients with PCS. The development of MCAS during the course of SARS-CoV-2 infection is correlated to COVID-19 severity and the development of PCS. Therefore, MCAS is treated by antihistamines, inhibition of synthesis of mediators, inhibition of mediator release, and inhibition of degranulation of mast cells.

Key summary points

• Post-COVID (PCS) syndrome may progress in association with the development of mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS).

• High D-dimer levels and blood urea nitrogen were observed to be risk factors associated with pulmonary dysfunction in COVID-19 survivors 3 months post-hospital discharge with the development of PCS.

• Persistence of inflammatory reactions, autoimmune mimicry, and reactivation of pathogens together with host microbiome alterations may contribute to the development of PCS.

• MCAS is treated by antihistamines, inhibition of synthesis of mediators, inhibition of mediator release, and inhibition of degranulation of mast cells.