Persistently activated virus-specific CD8 T cells indicate antigen-driven immune aberrations in long COVID
Mark M. Painter, David B. Reeg, Naomi R. Douek, Sophie L. Gray-Gaillard, Sasikanth Manne, Josephine Ruth Giles, Thomas Dalhuisen, Melissa Buitrago, Emily A. Fehrman, Dylan Ryder, Meghann C. Williams, Ava-Kathleen Rybicki, Gwen Baraniecki‐Zwil, Zina Ahn, John P. Reilly, , E. John Wherry
The paper identifies persistently activated virus-specific CD8 T cells in long COVID patients, suggesting chronic antigen stimulation by SARS-CoV-2 or herpesvirus.
bioRxiv · Oct 22, 2026 · PreprintImmunology