Scientists Discover Hidden Reservoir of SARS-CoV-2 in Body Cells, Implying Persistence and Recurrence

Researchers at the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences in New Delhi have identified a potential hidden reservoir of the SARS-CoV-2 virus within body cells, shedding light on a possible explanation for its persistence and recurrence. The study focused on extracellular vesicles (EVs), microscopic particles released by cells. Interestingly, the researchers found RNA or genetic material of SARS-CoV-2 within the EVs of individuals who had tested negative through standard RT-PCR methods.

This discovery could have significant implications for COVID-19 diagnosis and management, as the presence of the virus in EVs might indicate a potential source for recurrent infections, even in individuals deemed virus-free by conventional tests. The infected EVs demonstrated the ability to transmit the virus to previously unaffected cells in laboratory settings, suggesting a previously unrecognized route of transmission. The findings, published in the journal Liver Research, could lead to more sensitive and rapid diagnostic approaches and a better understanding of the virus’s behavior beyond the respiratory tract.