Published date: Mar 25 2025

Journal Title: West Kazakhstan Medical Journal

Issue title: West Kazakhstan Medical Journal: Volume 67 Issue 1

Pages: 24 - 41

DOI: 10.18502/wkmj.v67i1.17538

Saulesh S. Kurmangaliyevasaule_cc@mail.ruDepartment of Microbiology, Virology and Immunology, West Kazakhstan Marat Ospanov Medical University, Aktobe

Akzhan M. Madenbayevaa.madenbaeva@zkmu.kzDepartment of Internal Diseases No 1, West Kazakhstan Marat Ospanov Medical University, Aktobe

Saltanat T. Urazayevas.urazaeva@mail.ruDepartment of Epidemiology, West Kazakhstan Marat Ospanov Medical University, Aktobe

Kairat B. Kurmangaliyevkairat_121@mail.ruDepartment of Microbiology, Virology and Immunology, West Kazakhstan Marat Ospanov Medical University, Aktobe

Yerlan Sh. Bazargaliyeverlan_73@inbox.ruDepartment of Internal Diseases No 1, West Kazakhstan Marat Ospanov Medical University, Aktobe

Khatimya I. Kudabayevahatima_aktobe@mail.ruDepartment of Internal Diseases No 1, West Kazakhstan Marat Ospanov Medical University, Aktobe

Aisha B. Urazayevaa.urazayeva@zkmu.kzDepartment of Epidemiology, West Kazakhstan Marat Ospanov Medical University, Aktobe

Gaukhar B. Kumarg.kumar@zkmu.kzDepartment of Epidemiology, West Kazakhstan Marat Ospanov Medical University, Aktobe

Long COVID-19 is characterized by the persistence of symptoms and immune alterations beyond the acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Understanding the demographic, clinical, and immunological differences between individuals with and without long COVID-19 is crucial for developing targeted interventions. This observational study included 206 participants, comprising 90 patients with long COVID-19 and 116 without. Data on demographic, lifestyle, and clinical characteristics were collected, alongside immune cell profiles and SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels. Statistical analyses compared these parameters between the two groups. Long COVID-19 patients were predominantly female (77.8%), older (47.78% aged 41–60, 20% >60 years), and had higher BMI, hypertension (31.1%), and autoimmune diseases (11.1%) compared to nonlong COVID-19 individuals (P < 0.001). Clinical symptoms unique to long COVID-19 included memory loss (40.0%), hair loss (37.8%), fatigue (35.6%), and myalgia/arthralgia (28.9%), all absent in the control group (P < 0.001). Immunologically, patients with long COVID-19 exhibited distinct immune profiles, including elevated cytotoxic T cells (CD3+CD8+), reduced B cells, and higher CD4/CD8 ratios. Moreover, long COVID-19 patients had higher SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels, with 15.5% showing levels between 1000–2500 BAU/ml, compared to 6.9% in controls. These immunological biomarkers, including altered T cell subsets and antibody levels, highlight the complex immune dysregulation associated with long COVID-19. These findings could inform future clinical management and therapeutic strategies targeting immune modulation.

Keywords: long COVID-19, QazVac vaccine, immunity, postacute sequelae of SARSCoV- 2, infection, lymphocyte subsets

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