Colonic Viral Persistence Post COVID-19
Session Number
3
Advisor(s)
Lavanya Visvabharathy, University of Chicago
Location
A155
Discipline
Medical and Health Sciences
Start Date
15-4-2026 2:15 PM
End Date
15-4-2026 3:00 PM
Abstract
Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), commonly known as long COVID, includes persistent symptoms that occur months after initial infection. Although many individuals do not experience gastrointestinal symptoms during acute COVID-19, studies show an elevated risk of chronic conditions months or years after infection. One possible explanation involves the persistence of viral RNA within gastrointestinal tissues, which may lead to chronic immune changes in the gut. This study investigates the mechanisms underlying gastrointestinal PASC (GI-PASC). We hypothesize that persistent SARS-CoV-2 RNA remains in intestinal tissue after infection, leading to decreased levels of anti-inflammatory metabolites. This may cause inflammation, distinguishing GI-PASC patients from individuals who recover without long-term gastrointestinal complications. To test this hypothesis, colon biopsy samples from post-COVID patients will be analyzed using RNAscope assays to detect viral RNA persistence. Immune cell populations will be examined through clustering to find differences in CD4⁺ T-cell profiles between patients with and without viral persistence. From there, metabolomic analysis will also be used to determine if specific metabolites are consistently increased or decreased in GI-PASC patients. Understanding this persistence and how it influences inflammation may provide insight into what biologically drives GI-PASC and help guide future strategies to reduce long COVID complications
Colonic Viral Persistence Post COVID-19
A155
Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), commonly known as long COVID, includes persistent symptoms that occur months after initial infection. Although many individuals do not experience gastrointestinal symptoms during acute COVID-19, studies show an elevated risk of chronic conditions months or years after infection. One possible explanation involves the persistence of viral RNA within gastrointestinal tissues, which may lead to chronic immune changes in the gut. This study investigates the mechanisms underlying gastrointestinal PASC (GI-PASC). We hypothesize that persistent SARS-CoV-2 RNA remains in intestinal tissue after infection, leading to decreased levels of anti-inflammatory metabolites. This may cause inflammation, distinguishing GI-PASC patients from individuals who recover without long-term gastrointestinal complications. To test this hypothesis, colon biopsy samples from post-COVID patients will be analyzed using RNAscope assays to detect viral RNA persistence. Immune cell populations will be examined through clustering to find differences in CD4⁺ T-cell profiles between patients with and without viral persistence. From there, metabolomic analysis will also be used to determine if specific metabolites are consistently increased or decreased in GI-PASC patients. Understanding this persistence and how it influences inflammation may provide insight into what biologically drives GI-PASC and help guide future strategies to reduce long COVID complications