Autopsy Study Finds Replicating SARS-CoV-2 in the Hearts of Long Covid Patients

Autopsy Study Finds Replicating SARS-CoV-2 in the Hearts of Long Covid

We investigated whether SARS-CoV-2 actively replicates in heart tissue long after initial infection. Analyzing 74 autopsies, we found viral replication markers in 11 cases, strongly linked to cardiac Long COVID symptoms. These hearts showed significant structural changes and altered gene expression, suggesting persistent viral activity drives these debilitating conditions.

"Detection of SARS-CoV-2 reverse strand in the hearts of a subset of patients with CLC provides molecular evidence of viral persistence that may drive the structural and immune changes underlying their symptoms."