A recent preprint study has found that spike protein from the COVID-19 vaccine can remain in immune cells for over 245 days, potentially leading to symptoms of long COVID and post-vaccine syndrome. The study evaluated 50 patients who developed long COVID-like symptoms after receiving the vaccine, and it was discovered that 13 out of 14 patients had spike protein present in their immune cells. These spike proteins were detected in monocytes, immune cells that circulate throughout the body.
The research was conducted by InCellDx, a research company specializing in testing and treating long COVID and post-vaccine syndrome. In a previous study published in 2022, InCellDx found that unvaccinated long COVID patients could have spike protein persisting in their immune cells for up to 15 months.
Dr. Bruce Patterson, the founder of InCellDx and lead author of the study, explained that monocytes are scavenger cells of the immune system, similar to the character Pac-Man in video games. They roam the body and engulf proteins they come across. In the case of long COVID, monocytes gobble up spike protein from the virus, while in post-vaccine syndrome, they engulf spike proteins produced by the vaccine. These spike proteins then persist inside the monocytes, causing inflammation and leading to various long-lasting symptoms.
The study also found that post-vaccine patients had significantly higher levels of monocytes compared to those without post-vaccine symptoms. Symptomatic patients also had elevated levels of inflammatory biomarkers. Dr. Patterson believes that at the time of the study, viral replication or spike protein production from vaccinations was no longer occurring. Instead, the spike proteins persisted because they were being stored inside the monocytes. This phenomenon, where spike proteins hijack the cell death program of monocytes, is similar to what occurs with HIV and hepatitis C viruses.
Inflammation and damage to blood vessels have been identified as central features of long COVID symptoms. Inflamed and damaged vasculature can lead to fatigue, blood clotting, immune and nervous system dysregulation, and more. The recent preprint study also highlighted the differences between long COVID and post-vaccine syndrome. While both conditions are likely caused by spike protein persistence, they have slightly different chemical profiles. Medications that block specific cytokines associated with each condition can help alleviate symptoms.
Dr. Patterson's treatment protocol for both long COVID and post-vaccine syndrome focuses on curbing inflammation in the blood vessels and throughout the body. The protocol includes using maraviroc, an HIV drug, and atorvastatin, a type of statin, to target vasculature inflammation. Other drugs and nutraceuticals like ivermectin, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), and nattokinase have been used by many doctors to break down outside spike protein, but Dr. Patterson explains that they cannot effectively target spike protein stored inside cells.
The study findings suggest that some individuals diagnosed with long COVID may actually be experiencing symptoms of post-vaccine syndrome. The symptoms reported in post-vaccine patients were almost identical to those in long COVID patients, including fatigue, neuropathy, brain fog, and headache. It is important to differentiate between the two conditions to provide appropriate treatment.
