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SARS-COV-2 : *Long Covid* Redefined In Time and Marker ?

Debatosh Datta

Objective: Cell-Mediated Immunity (CMI), which includes T-cells (both T helper and cytotoxic), is critical for effective antiviral defenses against CoronaVirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19). Expression of several CD markers analyzed in few patient groups to better understand immunological properties of CD markers in post-COVID-19 patients.

Materials and methods: Flow cytometer was used to quantify total lymphocyte count and assess expression of CD markers in the samples.

Results: Percentage of Lymphocytes decreased significantly in post-SARS-COV-2 patients compared to normal subjects, a usual expression in any viral infection. In contrast CD8⁺ population was increased in patient groups with prolonged SARS-COV-2 infection coupled with or without comorbid complications.

Conclusion: These results corroborated with earlier reports of SARS-CoV-2 infection in overall total lymphocyte status while long post-SARS-COV-2 case(s) showed unexplained up regulation of CD8+ subset which needs further elaboration as a possible predictable cellular marker in all long post-SARS-COV-2 cases whether or not multi-organ affection is obvious (cardiac, renal etc.,). Also there may well be a need of extension of time window of post-SARS- COV-2 infection leading to multi-organ affection from current 3-6 months to possibly years even.