Amy Proal, PhD (@microbeminded2) / X

Amy Proal, PhD

7,148 posts

Amy Proal, PhD

@microbeminded2

Microbiologist at @polybioRF: studying how persistent pathogens drive inflammaging, mitochondrial dysfunction & cognitive decline #longcovid #lyme #alzheimers

polybio.org

Joined September 2017

Pinned
Amy Proal, PhD
@microbeminded2
Dec 8, 2024
It was great to do this podcast. Persistent #viruses - and many bacteria, fungi and even parasite pathogens - directly hijack our #mitochondria. They can hack and distort human gene signaling that controls senescence & inflammaging. This knowledge is huge for longevity treatments
Mike Lustgarten, PhD
@mike_lustgarten
Dec 8, 2024
New YT video, featuring @microbeminded2! youtube.com/watch?v=Y1nLjj…
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Amy Proal, PhD
@microbeminded2
Aug 20, 2022
This is one of the most concerning examples of #SARS-CoV-2 persistence to date 👉 The team found SARS-CoV-2 RNA + Spike protein in the stool of 11/14 newborn babies born to mothers who had #COVID-19 resolve 10+ weeks before delivery:
SARS CoV-2 detected in neonatal stool remote from maternal COVID-19 during pregnancy
From nature.com
Amy Proal, PhD
@microbeminded2
Sep 4, 2023
I am excited to share our new position paper on #SARS-CoV-2 reservoir (viral persistence) in Long COVID or post-acute sequelae of COVID (PASC):
SARS-CoV-2 reservoir in post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC)
From nature.com
621K
Amy Proal, PhD
@microbeminded2
Mar 10, 2020
So I have decided to make my situation public. I am not in critical condition and am stable, but since about Feb. 23rd have been very sick with the symptoms of #COVID19 minus a high fever. My boyfriend first got sick with these symptoms on Feb. 21st and we are both still ill
Amy Proal, PhD
@microbeminded2
Jun 8, 2022
So it turns out we did find “something in the blood” of #ME/CFS patients: fibrinaloid microclots + hyperactivated platelets (that you can see with your own eyes). Thank you so much to @polybioRF donors who helped support part of the study: researchsquare.com/article/rs-172…
Amy Proal, PhD
@microbeminded2
Apr 8, 2024
It’s official: A new Lancet Infectious Disease paper solidifies evidence of long-term viral persistence after #COVID-19. Up to a quarter of people in the study harbored viral proteins indicative of persistent virus for up to 14 months after infection:
COVID-19 Virus Can Persist in the Body More Than a Year after Infection - PolyBio Research Founda...
From polybio.org
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Amy Proal, PhD
@microbeminded2
Jul 26, 2023
This team found #SARS-CoV-2 RNA/protein in tongue tissue of patients with long-term taste dysfunction after #COVID-19. Viral persistence was identified up to 63 weeks post-infection and accompanied by immune activation + misshapen or absent taste buds:
evidence.nejm.org
Long-Term Dysfunction of Taste Papillae in SARS-CoV-2
We sought to determine whether ongoing taste disturbance in the postacute sequelae of coronavirus disease 2019 period is associated with persistent virus in primary taste tissue. We performed fungi...
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Amy Proal, PhD
@microbeminded2
Jul 30, 2023
This autopsy study found #SARS-CoV-2 RNA in #vagus nerve samples obtained from severe #COVID-19 patients. Direct infection of the vagus nerve was accompanied by inflammatory cell infiltration derived primarily from monocytes: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37452829/#:~:t….
Vagus nerve inflammation contributes to dysautonomia in COVID-19 - PubMed
From pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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Amy Proal, PhD
@microbeminded2
Jan 17, 2024
Tell @ChrisCuomo that 33 scientists from 14 institutions joined forces to write this paper documenting evidence for #SARS-CoV-2 persistence as a potential driver of #LongCOVID. We call for more clinical trials of drugs capable of clearing persistent virus:
SARS-CoV-2 reservoir in post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) - PubMed
From pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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Amy Proal, PhD
@microbeminded2
Feb 16, 2025
Today I write for the @latimes: Long COVID is solvable, but we need more clinical trials. These include trials of drugs to clear #SARS-CoV-2 reservoirs: small pockets of the virus - or parts of the virus - that can persist long-term in people’s bodies.
Opinion: Long COVID is solvable, but we need more clinical trials
From latimes.com
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Amy Proal, PhD
@microbeminded2
Nov 8, 2022
Amazing to have @resiapretorius visit Harvard to teach an incredible team of scientists working on #LongCovid, #ME/CFS, pediatric LongCovid and #MIS-C to identify microclots and hyperactivated platelets in samples @MBVanElzakker @LaelYonker @D__Irimia @bpboribong @HannahFBues
Amy Proal, PhD
@microbeminded2
Apr 9, 2024
For more context: The team found #SARS-CoV-2 proteins indicative of viral persistence in 25% of people up to 14 months after #COVID. They controlled for vaccination + reinfection. There were very few false positives in the pre-pandemic samples, confirming accuracy of the methods
Amy Proal, PhD
@microbeminded2
Apr 8, 2024
It’s official: A new Lancet Infectious Disease paper solidifies evidence of long-term viral persistence after #COVID-19. Up to a quarter of people in the study harbored viral proteins indicative of persistent virus for up to 14 months after infection: polybio.org/covid-19-virus…
118K
Amy Proal, PhD
@microbeminded2
Jun 8, 2025
Jawdropping data here showing dozens of #viruses - many rarely even discussed or tested for on a regular basis - in sewage collected from wastewater in multiple USA cities. The viruses are identified via unbiased sequencing that can identify any viral genome in the samples.
Marc Johnson
@SolidEvidence
Jun 6, 2025
This is so cool. I’m pleased to share version 1.0 of our new dashboard for displaying data from our wastewater metagenomic project. This is a collaborative projected between MU, U. Wisc @dho, and SecureBio; funded by Inkfish and Open Philanthropy. 1/ lungfish-science.github.io/wastewater-das…
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Amy Proal, PhD
@microbeminded2
Mar 29, 2025
Worth noting that mast cells activate and release histamine in response to chronic viral, bacterial, fungal, and other infections So persistent infection likely contributes to these conditions/symptoms
Andra
@BioavailableNd
Mar 27, 2025
Depression: Histamine Anxiety: Histamine Headaches: Histamine Insomnia: Histamine ADHD: Histamine Cold Hands/Feet: Histamine Autism: Histamine Bloating/IBD: Histamine Acid Reflux: Histamine Joint Pain: Histamine Menstrual cramps: Histamine Endometriosis: Histamine PMDD:
journals.plos.org
The Role of Mast Cells in the Defence against Pathogens
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