According to the British Medical Journal, post-acute COVID-19 or “long COVID” is defined as symptoms 3 weeks after the initial onset of symptoms. Chronic COVID-19 are symptoms extending 12 weeks from the initial onset of first symptoms.

Research published in The Journal of the American Medical Association estimates 10-30% of COVID-19 patients become long haulers.

One common theory is that there is viral persistence, inactivated viral fragments, or reactivation of a latent virus. While research is still ongoing to make any conclusive statements, we do believe that the etiology is an immune state caused by pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Using IncellDx’s patented kit, we are measuring immune markers and cytokines. Cytokines are immunoregulatory proteins made by immune cells to communicate, signal and coordinate immune responses. Cytokines are produced by a broad range of cells including T-cells, B-cells, macrophages, and endothelial cells and play an important role in the regulation of the immune system. However, in certain conditions and pathologies, elevated cytokines can contribute to hyperinflammatory states, which we believe is the underlying cause behind chronic COVID-19.

While there is anecdotal evidence and reports that there are some medications alleviating symptoms, we are still investigating and researching, and cannot make any conclusive statements yet.

There are currently very few studies on chronic COVID-19,  but we believe the tide is slowly turning in the medical community as more research and focus is now coming to light. We are supporting our clinical approach through research papers we have submitted on this subject.

You can sign up through a portal on the landing page and receive a logistics and protocol sheet. The labs will contact you on how to receive the kit and get your blood work to them for analysis.

Our panel collectively evaluates cytokines known to be involved in chronic COVID-19 and was developed using an algorithm established on a large, long-hauler patient population. Other labs evaluate only a few of the cytokines in our panel.

Our process is based on decades of research on viral pathogens that impair the immune system’s ability to function effectively, including Dr. Patterson’s research on COVID-19 and other disease models.

Initially, the lab is quoting 2-3 weeks from receipt of sample for results because of the backlog. They plan to process the samples faster over time as they get all systems in place and start to receive back the kits they are shipping out. The goal is to get the turnaround to 1-2 weeks by the first of May.

Reimbursement of any lab test varies depending on your insurance coverage. You will be provided with relevant CPT codes to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement consideration