Zurich researchers find lifelong risk of viral infections
Published: Wednesday, Jul 17th 2024, 16:20
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Researchers at the University of Zurich have discovered that autoantibodies are a lifelong risk for viral infections. Two percent of the population develop these against type 1 interferons, and their risk of becoming seriously ill is greater with diseases such as Covid-19.
Other research has shown that between 5 and 15 percent of people with severe cases of influenza or Covid develop such autoantibodies, the University of Zurich announced on Monday. The weakened system cannot build up a complete defense.
The study by the University of Zurich and University Hospital Zurich now shows that people between the ages of 60 and 65 typically form autoantibodies against type 1 interferons. These remain detectable in the blood for the rest of their lives.
For example, people who had already developed the autoantibodies in 2008 also fell seriously ill with Covid-19. According to the researchers, understanding the risk factors could lead to diagnostic tests in the future. This could help to identify older people who are more susceptible to autoantibodies. In order to prevent serious illnesses, these could be treated as a priority.
For the study, the researchers analyzed frozen blood samples from 2,000 adults who had donated blood twice a year over several decades. These had originally been donated for research into HIV infection.
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