Blood test for long Covid could be available within 18 months after antibody discovery

Scientists say they have detected irregularities in the blood of long Covid patients that could one day pave the way for a test for the condition.

Researchers from Imperial College London found a pattern of rogue antibodies in the blood of a small number of people with long Covid.

At a glance: 5 key points

Scientists from Imperial College London found a pattern of rogue antibodies in the blood of a small number of people with long Covid. Researchers hope the discovery could lead to a simple blood test for the condition within six to 18 months.
Long Covid is not yet fully understood and there are currently no tests to diagnose it. The symptoms currently range from fatigue, breathlessness, headaches and muscle pain which last long after the initial infection.
Prof Danny Altmann, who is leading the research team at Imperial College London, said he believes the work will lead to a test which could be done in a doctor's surgery.
In the pilot study, researchers compared the blood of dozens of people and found what are called autoantibodies that were not present in people who recovered quickly, or those who have not had Covid-19. Normally, human immune systems create antibodies to fight disease. But sometimes the body turns on itself - creating the autoantibodies that attack healthy cells.
Prof Altmann believes these autoantibodies may be one of the things causing long Covid symptoms. He has also warned that the findings cannot yet be described as a breakthrough, but said they were “a very exciting advancement”.