What Do Different Covid-19 Strains Do To Your Body? IIT-Indore Study Explains

News18

27-05-2025

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IIT Indore and IIIT Allahabad's joint study reveals how COVID-19 variants impact the body, offering vital insights for long COVID treatment and health policy planning
A landmark study by researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Indore has shed light on how different COVID-19 variants impact the human body. Published in the Journal of Proteome Research, the study examined clinical data from 3,134 patients across the first and second waves of the pandemic in India. The findings help explain how each variant influences the severity of illness and which biological systems are most affected.
The study was jointly conducted by Professor Rajesh Kumar of IIT Indore and Professor Sonali Agarwal of IIIT Allahabad. Experts believe the findings could prove crucial in deepening our understanding of long COVID symptoms and in developing more targeted treatments, thereby enhancing future health policy and preparedness. The researchers used machine learning to identify nine key biological markers associated with disease severity. In addition, advanced methodologies such as multi-omics and Raman spectroscopy were utilised.
Prof. Rajesh Kumar's team at IIT Indore mapped biological changes, while Prof. Sonali Agarwal's team at IIIT Allahabad analysed patient data. This collaboration revealed for the first time how COVID-19 affects the body at the molecular level.
The Delta variant, in particular, was found to disrupt the body's metabolic and hormonal systems more severely than other strains. Dr Hem Chandra Jha from IIT Indore noted that each variant triggers a distinct response, with Delta directly impairing energy and hormonal pathways, contributing to harsher symptoms.
Professor Suhas S. Joshi, Director of IIT Indore, highlighted the study's significance, stating that such research not only advances scientific understanding but also aids in shaping better health strategies and treatments. The findings are expected to support improved responses to long-term effects of epidemics like COVID.
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