Summary
| Direction in Long COVID | ↓ Reduced — lower than in the comparison group |
|---|---|
| Category | Inflammatory |
| Also described as | IL-1β, IL-8, IFN-γ, etc. |
| Compared against | R (at 6 months) (recovered individuals without persistent symptoms (at 6 months)) |
| Associated symptoms | Immune exhaustion pattern |
| Test type | Blood test (serum / plasma / whole blood) |
| Source | Kallaste et al. 2025 — doi:10.3390/medicina61060996 |
| Condition atlas | Long COVID Biomarker Atlas |
Trials, interventions and tests
In clinical-trial registrations this marker maps to the outcome term Changes in Neuroimmune Functioning Measured by Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines (4 registered trials use a matching outcome measure).
Clinical trials using Pro-inflammatory cytokines (composite) as an outcome
- NCT06211062: The Use of Directed Probiotics in ME/CFS: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (Recruiting)
Outcome measure: The pro-inflammatory cytokines level e.g. IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α - NCT01650636: Patient-Partner Stress Management Effects on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms and Neuroimmune Process (Completed)
Outcome measure: Changes in Neuroimmune Functioning Measured by Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines - NCT06294756: Sulfureous Water Therapy in Viral Respiratory Diseases (Completed)
Outcome measure: To assess if H2S present in STW can interfere with concentration of inflammatory markers ( as IL1B, IL-6, ACE, S100B, GSS, Hs-CRP) typically alterated in long covid patients. - NCT05128292: Effect of CoQ10 Plus Selenium Supplementation on Clinical Outcomes and Biochemical Markers in ME/CFS (CoSeME Study) (Completed)
Outcome measure: Measurement of biomarkers of inflammatory immune response.
Interventions studied alongside this marker
Hypothesis-generating links from trial outcome usage and literature co-occurrence. Not treatment recommendations.
- Coenzyme Q10 — 1 trial, 6 PubMed co-citations
e.g. Coenzyme Q(10) attenuates age-associated neurodegeneration via modulation of autophagy and neuroinflammation…
Related Inflammatory markers in Long COVID
- Cystatin D (CST5) ↑
- Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β) ↑
- CCL4 (MIP-1β) ↑
- Interleukin-8 (IL-8) ↑
- Flt-1 / sVEGFR-1 ↑
- Interleukin-10 (IL-10) ↕
- Soluble CD14 (sCD14) ↑
- Ferritin ↕
Full list: Long COVID Biomarker Atlas.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pro-inflammatory cytokines (composite) high or low in Long COVID?
Reduced. Studies summarised in the OSMF atlas report lower Pro-inflammatory cytokines (composite) in Long COVID than in recovered individuals without persistent symptoms (at 6 months). Source: Kallaste et al. 2025.
What symptoms is Pro-inflammatory cytokines (composite) associated with in Long COVID?
The cited literature associates this marker with Immune exhaustion pattern. These are population-level associations and do not mean the marker causes the symptoms.
Which test measures Pro-inflammatory cytokines (composite)?
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 Pro-inflammatory cytokines (composite) result diagnostic of Long COVID?
No. No single biomarker is diagnostic of Long COVID. Pro-inflammatory cytokines (composite) 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.
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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.