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High levels of T lymphocytes, or T cells, could provide adequate protection against the new coronavirus, suggests a new study.
T cells are part of our immune system, which responds to a foreign invader such as a virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). They are different from antibodies and are believed to confer immunity against the coronavirus for a longer period.
Interestingly, the researchers also found that the older study participants had lower levels of SARS-CoV-2 sensitive T cells, a finding that could help explain why older people are more at risk for the new one. virus. (iStock)
In a study of 3000 people, researchers at Oxford Immunotec and Public Health England (PHE) found that none of the study participants “with an elevated T cell response” developed a symptomatic case of COVID-19 when researchers spoke with them, Reuters reported. Meanwhile, “confirmed infections” were reported in 20 study participants who had a poor T cell response.
Interestingly, the researchers also found that the older study participants had lower levels of SARS-CoV-2 sensitive T cells, a finding that could help explain why older people are more at risk for the new one. virus.
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Although the study is pre-printed and has not yet been peer reviewed, the results suggest that “people with a higher number of T cells recognizing SARS-CoV-2 may have some level of protection against COVID-19, although more research is needed to confirm this, ”said David Wyllie, consultant microbiologist at Public Health England, according to Reuters.
The results come after a separate study from Singapore in August found that T cells in some people may have the ability to recognize COVID-19 despite being a new virus.
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The results of this study suggest that exposure to types of coronavirus in the past may produce “memory T cells” in the blood of some people, possibly helping them fight the novel coronavirus. Researchers in the small study published in Nature noted at the time that these T cells could aid in the development of a vaccine against the coronavirus.
Amy McGorry of Fox News contributed to this report.
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