The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and other similar viruses can cause brain cells to fuse, leading to chronic neurological symptoms. This is the conclusion reached by researchers from the University of Queensland, writing Scientific journal.
Professor Massimo Hilliard and Dr Ramon Martinez-Marmol of the Queensland Brain Institute have studied the process of altered nervous system functions under the influence of viruses. In particular, the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 was chosen for research, moreover, the strain detected in patients with “long covid” several months after infection.
“We have discovered that COVID-19 causes neurons to undergo a fusion process that has never been seen before. Once neurons are infected with SARS-CoV-2, a spike protein S appears in them. The merged cells synchronize or stop working,” Hilliard explained.
He drew an analogy between neurons and the wires that connect light switches to kitchen and bathroom lights. “After the cells are merged, each switch turns on either the kitchen and bathroom lights at the same time, or none of them. This is bad news for two independent chains,” he said. declared.
Martinez-Marmol noted that the fusion of neurons is another scenario after the virus enters the brain: it was previously known to cause either cell death or an inflammatory process. According to the scientist, the effect of “fused” neurons discovered by him and Hilliard explains the persistence of “persistent neurological disorders” after COVID-19. These include, for example, persistent headaches, complete or partial loss of taste or smell.
Similar effects on tissue cells of other organs are caused by other viruses – HIV, rabies, Japanese encephalitis, measles, herpes, Zika virus. All of them, like SARS-CoV-2, affect the nervous system and can also cause neuronal fusion.
The study authors added that in patients with “long covid”, the SARS-CoV-2 virus continues to remain in brain cells even for months after recovery – and all the while it has an impact negative.
In April 2023, Chinese scientists released data from a large-scale study of samples taken from a market in Wuhan, which is believed to have triggered the COVID-19 outbreak. The virus was detected in 73 samples, mostly taken from the southwestern part of the market, where there are reports of illegal wildlife trade taking place. There, in particular, they sold raccoon dogs which, according to epidemiologists, could be carriers and distributors of the virus.
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