Insights from myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome may help unravel the pathogenesis of postacute COVID-19 syndrome - PubMed (original) (raw)

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Insights from myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome may help unravel the pathogenesis of postacute COVID-19 syndrome

Anthony L Komaroff et al. Trends Mol Med. 2021 Sep.

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can cause chronic and acute disease. Postacute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) include injury to the lungs, heart, kidneys, and brain that may produce a variety of symptoms. PASC also includes a post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) syndrome ('long COVID') with features that can follow other acute infectious diseases and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Here we summarize what is known about the pathogenesis of ME/CFS and of 'acute' COVID-19, and we speculate that the pathogenesis of post-COVID-19 syndrome in some people may be similar to that of ME/CFS. We propose molecular mechanisms that might explain the fatigue and related symptoms in both illnesses, and we suggest a research agenda for both ME/CFS and post-COVID-19 syndrome.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; long COVID; myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome; postacute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2; post–COVID-19 syndrome.

Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of interests The authors have no interests to declare.

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