Taiwanese Scientists Warn That Hidden Spike Proteins Drive Long COVID Risks and Lasting Inflammation
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Sep 07, 2025 16 hours, 28 minutes ago
Medical News: A new study from researchers at National Taiwan University, National Taiwan Ocean University, Chung Shan Medical University, National Yang Ming Chia Tung University, National Taichung University of Education, and the University of Florida has shed light on why Long COVID continues to affect millions. The team focused on the persistent presence of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in patients and how it fuels lingering symptoms through ongoing inflammation. This
Medical News report highlights how the findings may change the way we identify and manage people most at risk.
Taiwanese Scientists Warn That Hidden Spike Proteins Drive Long COVID Risks and Lasting Inflammation
Why spike proteins matter
Even after recovering from the initial infection, fragments of the spike protein can remain in the blood for months. The study shows these proteins act like a “stubborn trigger” for the immune system, keeping it on high alert long after the virus is gone. This may explain why many Long COVID patients suffer from fatigue, brain fog, heart irregularities, and breathing problems. The research team found that spike proteins not only persist but also encourage the body to release powerful inflammatory molecules.
Key discoveries
By analyzing blood samples and modeling data, the researchers identified a clear relationship between spike protein levels and the number of symptoms patients experienced. Their models suggest that Long COVID sufferers can face up to 20 different ongoing symptoms when spike protein levels remain high.
The study also revealed which inflammatory molecules were most sensitive to the spike protein. The chemokine CXCL8 was the strongest responder, becoming activated at extremely low levels of spike protein. It was followed by IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α, all of which are linked to inflammation, immune overreaction, and tissue damage. These findings suggest these molecules could serve as warning markers to detect who is likely to develop severe or long-lasting complications.
Long term patterns
The research further grouped patients into clusters based on how their spike protein levels changed over time. Some patients showed delayed clearance, where proteins lingered for four months or more, while others experienced fluctuating levels that may explain why symptoms come and go. These clusters provide valuable insights for tailoring personalized treatment strategies and monitoring at-risk individuals more effectively.
What this means for patients
The conclusions are important. If doctors can track spike protein levels and related inflammatory markers in recovered COVID-19 patients, they may be able to predict who will go on to develop Long COVID. This opens the door to early treatments designed to reduce inflammation, clear lingering viral proteins, and prevent long-term disability. The findings also emphasize that Long COVID is not simply “in the mind” of patients but rooted in m
easurable biological processes.
In short, the persistence of spike proteins appears to play a key role in keeping the body stuck in a cycle of immune activation and damage. Understanding this mechanism could change how we approach Long COVID, turning it from a mysterious condition into one that can be identified, monitored, and possibly prevented. For patients, it means there is growing scientific evidence that their symptoms are real, traceable, and not being ignored. With proper medical attention and early monitoring, healthcare systems can better manage resources while offering hope for millions struggling with the aftermath of COVID-19.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed journal: Viruses.
https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/9/1215
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Medical News.
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https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/sars-cov-2-spike-motif-triggers-dangerous-immune-shutdown
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