Severe fatigue and memory impairment are associated with lower serum level of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in patients with Post-COVID symptoms

Molnar, TihamerDepartment of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, University of Pecs, Medical School, Pecs, Hungary (author)

Background: Post-COVID manifestation is defined as persistent symptoms or long-term complications beyond 4 weeks from disease onset. Fatigue and memory impairment are common post-COVID symptoms. We aimed to explore associations between the timeline and severity of post-COVID fatigue and anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.Methods: Fatigue and memory impairment were assessed in a total of 101 post-COVID subjects using the Chalder fatigue scale (CFQ-11) and a visual analogue scale. Using the bimodal scoring system generated from CFQ-11, a score ≥4 was defined as severe fatigue. Serum anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike (anti-S-Ig) and nucleocapsid (anti-NC-Ig) antibodies were examined at two time points: 4-12 weeks after onset of symptoms, and beyond 12 weeks.Results: The serum level of anti-S-Ig was significantly higher in patients with non-severe fatigue compared to those with severe fatigue at 4-12 weeks (p = 0.006) and beyond 12 weeks (p = 0.016). The serum level of anti-NC-Ig remained high in patients with non-severe fatigue at both time points. In contrast, anti-NC-Ig decreased significantly in severe fatigue cases regardless of the elapsed time (4-12 weeks: p = 0.024; beyond 12 weeks: p = 0.005). The incidence of memory impairment was significantly correlated with lower anti-S-Ig levels (-0.359, p < 0.001).Conclusion: The systemic immune response reflected by antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 is strongly correlated with the severity of post-COVID fatigue.

Varnai, RekaDepartment of Primary Health Care, University of Pecs, Medical School, Pecs, Hungary (author)
Schranz, DanielDepartment of Neurology, University of Pecs, Medical School, Pecs, Hungary (author)
Zavori, LaszloSalisbury NHS Foundation Trust, Salisbury, United Kingdom (author)
Peterfi, Zoltan1st Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectology, University of Pecs, Medical School, Pecs, Hungary (author)
Sipos, David1st Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectology, University of Pecs, Medical School, Pecs, Hungary (author)
Tőkés-Füzesi, MargitDepartment of Laboratory Medicine, University of Pecs, Medical School, Pecs, Hungary (author)
Illes, ZsoltDepartment of Neurology, Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark (author)
Büki, Andras,1966-Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pecs, Medical School, Pecs, Hungary(Swepub:oru)asbi (author)
Csecsei, PeterDepartment of Neurosurgery, University of Pecs, Medical School, Pecs, Hungary (author)
Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, University of Pecs, Medical School, Pecs, HungaryDepartment of Primary Health Care, University of Pecs, Medical School, Pecs, Hungary (creator_code:org_t)

By the author/editor: Molnar, Tihamer; Varnai, Reka; Schranz, Daniel; Zavori, Laszlo; Peterfi, Zoltan; Sipos, David; show more...; Tőkés-Füzesi, Ma ...; Illes, Zsolt; Büki, Andras, 19 ...; Csecsei, Peter; show less...

About the subject

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES: MEDICAL AND HEAL ...; and Clinical Medicin ...; and Neurology

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