Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

Carotid body dysregulation contributes to Long COVID symptoms

El-Medany, Ahmed; Adams, Zoe H.; Blythe, Hazel C.; Hope, Katrina A.; Kendrick, Adrian H.; Abdala Sheikh, Ana Paula; Paton, Julian F. R.; Nightingale, Angus K.; Hart, Emma C.

Carotid body dysregulation contributes to Long COVID symptoms Thumbnail


Authors

Ahmed El-Medany

Zoe H. Adams

Hazel C. Blythe

Katrina A. Hope

Profile image of Adrian Kendrick

Dr Adrian Kendrick Adrian.Kendrick@uwe.ac.uk
Senior Lecturer in Physiological Science (Respiratory/Sleep)

Ana Paula Abdala Sheikh

Julian F. R. Paton

Angus K. Nightingale

Emma C. Hart



Abstract

Patients with long COVID suffer from breathlessness during exercise, leading to exercise intolerance. We know that SARSCoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can infect carotid bodies which is a small sensory organ that sends signals to the brain for regulating breathing and blood pressure. This is called the carotid chemoreflex. However, it
is not clear if SARS-CoV-2 infection affects carotid chemoreflex. Here, we examine whether the normal functioning of carotid chemoreflex is disrupted in non-hospitalised patients with long COVID and if this is linked to excessive breathing during exercise. Our study shows that carotid chemoreflex is more sensitive in long COVID patients, who are
otherwise healthy. The carotid bodies could be a good therapeutic target for treating breathlessness in patients with long COVID.

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jan 31, 2024
Online Publication Date Feb 19, 2024
Publication Date Feb 19, 2024
Deposit Date Mar 13, 2024
Publicly Available Date Mar 13, 2024
Journal Communications Medicine
Print ISSN 2730-664X
Publisher Nature Research
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 4
Issue 1
Article Number 20
DOI https://doi.org/10.1038/s43856-024-00447-5
Keywords General Medicine
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/11796125
Additional Information Received: 1 August 2023; Accepted: 31 January 2024; First Online: 19 February 2024; : The authors declare no competing interests.

Files





You might also like



Downloadable Citations