Summary
| Direction in Long COVID | ↓ Reduced — lower than in the comparison group |
|---|---|
| Category | Lipidomic |
| Also described as | Sphingolipids |
| Compared against | R (fully recovered) (recovered individuals without persistent symptoms (fully recovered)) |
| Associated symptoms | Mitochondrial dysfunction, membrane integrity |
| Test type | Blood test (serum / plasma / whole blood) |
| Source | Pérez-Mazliah et al. 2024 — doi:10.1021/acs.jproteome.3c00706 |
| Condition atlas | Long COVID Biomarker Atlas |
Other conditions where Ceramides (plasma) is reported
- Ceramides (plasma) in ME/CFS — ↓ reduced vs HC
See the cross-condition hub: Ceramides (plasma) across conditions.
Related Lipidomic markers in Long COVID
Full list: Long COVID Biomarker Atlas.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ceramides high or low in Long COVID?
Reduced. Studies summarised in the OSMF atlas report lower Ceramides in Long COVID than in recovered individuals without persistent symptoms (fully recovered). Source: Pérez-Mazliah et al. 2024.
What symptoms is Ceramides associated with in Long COVID?
The cited literature associates this marker with Mitochondrial dysfunction, membrane integrity. These are population-level associations and do not mean the marker causes the symptoms.
Which test measures Ceramides?
It is measured as a blood test (serum / plasma / whole blood). Many of the cited studies used research-grade assays, so clinical availability may vary.
Is one abnormal Ceramides result diagnostic of Long COVID?
No. No single biomarker is diagnostic of Long COVID. Ceramides findings come from group comparisons, overlap considerably between patients and controls, and vary with study design, timing and comparison group. A result should be interpreted by a clinician alongside symptoms, history and other tests.
Is Ceramides specific to Long COVID?
No. The same marker is also reported in ME/CFS in this atlas, so it reflects shared biology (for example inflammation or vascular stress) rather than a condition-specific signature.
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Last reviewed: 2026-06-29 · Page generated from long-covid.json · Browse: Long COVID atlas · Biomarker Index · All marker pages
Disclaimer: This page is an educational synthesis of published, peer-reviewed research and is not medical advice. Biomarker findings vary across studies with case definitions, comparison groups, timing and assay methods. Direction of change reflects the predominant finding in the cited source and does not establish a diagnostic threshold. Discuss any test result with a qualified clinician.