About this Research Topic
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a fatal respiratory illness caused by newly identified severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has caused unprecedented global health and financial burden. SARS-CoV-2 can disproportionally infect individuals leading to broad clinical outcomes ranging from moderate illness to severe pneumonia with systemic involvement. COVID-19 disease severity and mortality can be explained in part by the influence of pre-existing chronic viral infections.
It is likely that SARS-CoV-2 triggers “latent” viruses, probably more in immunocompromised individuals and the recently published clinical findings show a possible link between SARS-CoV-2 infection and the reactivation of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and herpes simplex virus (HSV). Potential contributors to SARS-CoV-2-linked reactivation include hypoxia, immune dysregulation, and inflammation. Interestingly, EBV, HSV, and CMV reactivation in COVID-19 patients may be associated with disease severity, poor outcome, or increased risk of hospitalization; however, a definite conclusion is yet to be drawn. Paradoxically HIV-infected individuals are not as affected by SARS-CoV-2 as had originally been anticipated. Therefore, elucidating the impact of SARS-CoV-2-triggered reactivation of latent virus on COVID-19 pathogenesis and possible involvement in long COVID will help develop newer targets for combinatorial antiviral interventions.
We welcome submissions of original research, review, mini-review, perspective, and opinion articles involving basic and translational research investigations addressing the above topics. The potential articles could cover cellular, immunological, pathophysiological, and epidemiological factors that mediate SARS-CoV-2 reactivation of persistent infections in COVID-19 and long COVID manifestations.
It is likely that SARS-CoV-2 triggers “latent” viruses, probably more in immunocompromised individuals and the recently published clinical findings show a possible link between SARS-CoV-2 infection and the reactivation of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and herpes simplex virus (HSV). Potential contributors to SARS-CoV-2-linked reactivation include hypoxia, immune dysregulation, and inflammation. Interestingly, EBV, HSV, and CMV reactivation in COVID-19 patients may be associated with disease severity, poor outcome, or increased risk of hospitalization; however, a definite conclusion is yet to be drawn. Paradoxically HIV-infected individuals are not as affected by SARS-CoV-2 as had originally been anticipated. Therefore, elucidating the impact of SARS-CoV-2-triggered reactivation of latent virus on COVID-19 pathogenesis and possible involvement in long COVID will help develop newer targets for combinatorial antiviral interventions.
We welcome submissions of original research, review, mini-review, perspective, and opinion articles involving basic and translational research investigations addressing the above topics. The potential articles could cover cellular, immunological, pathophysiological, and epidemiological factors that mediate SARS-CoV-2 reactivation of persistent infections in COVID-19 and long COVID manifestations.
Keywords: viral infections, COVID-19, long COVID-19, chronic, infections
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
