Erasmus MC will investigate what effects SARS-CoV-2 has on the lungs and the heart and how they can be prevented.

Fortunately, many of the millions of people affected by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 have already been cured. However, it has gradually become clearer that the term ‘cure’ certainly does not mean in the case of corona patients who have been seriously ill, that they are completely old again by return. Many patients keep complaints. And there are indications that the virus permanently damages the lungs. “A new lung disease is emerging,” the Long Fund warned earlier.

New research
In order to provide those former corona patients with the care they need, it is important to identify the long-term consequences of the virus infection. In addition, more insight into the so-called ‘residual damage’ may perhaps lead to better treatments for future corona patients, which are specifically aimed at preventing the occurrence of that residual damage.

In view of the latter, Erasmus MC is now starting a new investigation. This study examines the long-term effects that the virus infection can have on the lungs and heart.

The lungs and the heart
It is well known that the lungs play a central role during infection by SARS-CoV-2. After all, the virus enters the body through these organs. Then, both the virus and the immune response that triggers the body to fight the virus can lead to major damage to the lungs and heart.

Blood clots
In addition, it is now known that seriously ill corona patients often form blood clots. These arise, for example, in the blood vessels of the lungs and can further damage both the lungs and the heart in this way. Erasmus MC researchers think that these blood clots may even lead to serious and life-threatening abnormalities, such as increased blood pressure in the lungs, which in turn can lead to heart failure. It is hoped that the research currently underway at Erasmus MC will lead to the prevention of residual damage caused by damage to the lung tissue and heart.

Research
Intensive research is currently being conducted worldwide on SARS-CoV-2. Many of those studies focus on treating and preventing the virus infection. For example, various medicines are currently being tested clinically. It produces varying results. For example, some initially promising drugs do not appear to be as effective after all (think, for example, of the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine). But others – like dexamethasone and remdesivir – seem to aid recovery. At the same time, hard work is being done on vaccines to prevent a virus infection and to stop the spread of the virus. According to the WHO, 141 vaccines are under development worldwide, of which 16 are currently actually being tested on humans. It is hoped that among all these vaccines there are one or two vaccines that are effective and safe and can be produced on a large scale in the short term. If all goes well, the first vaccines could potentially be distributed by the end of this year or early next year.

Meanwhile, the number of corona infections continues to rise. More than 9.6 million confirmed infections have been reported worldwide. More than 489,000 people died from the virus. And the WHO warned this week that the virus is spreading faster and faster. “In the first month of the outbreak, fewer than 10,000 infections were reported to the WHO. Nearly four million cases have been reported in the last month. We expect the total number of infections to pass 10 million next week, ”said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director General. “It reminds us that while research into vaccines and treatments continues, we still need to do everything we can with urgency to prevent the spread of the virus and save lives.”