In August an immunologist declared the "Leonardi Effect" had received a "decent burial"
Fast forward to today: a new preprint shows what I warned about in 2020
Persistent SARS-CoV-2-induced impairment of CD8 T cell responses to community-acquired pathogens
I was right
Key finding: Post-COVID patients show markedly reduced T cell reactivity to common pathogens (influenza, Staph, VCZ) which is evidence of lasting immune dysregulation favoring secondary infections and viral reactivation
This is the scenario I described years ago: accelerated CD8 aging/paralysis/exhaustion/senescence, poorer control of pathogens.
We ignored it at our peril. Rising "mystery" infections, cancers, herpes flares? Not a coincidence
after covid, patients show profound mitochondrial defects in T cells specific for common pathogens
Classic signs of T cell exhaustion/senescence
This is the scar I predicted in 2020
Aged, dysfunctional T cells that can’t properly control chronic viruses
Science eventually catches up.
Protect your T cells: vaccinate, mask in crowds, avoid reinfection
Various experts, researchers, nerds etc were saying this back in 2021. Back when major news outlets were struggling to maintain a downplaying narrative (they eventually succeeded, particularly with Biden's help). Signs of immune cell senescence, lower counts overall, viral presence in every major organ system including the brain, distressingly high long COVID incidences.
The response from minimizers (other experts) basically amounted to, "nuh-uh". Of course, they increasingly got the media attention.
This Disease Will Destabilize The Entire Population's Public Health And Set Off A Global Shockwave Of Complications vs. No It Won’t