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A total of around 450 people, including 105 with a proven previous infection, participated in the study.
Krems. Studies conducted by the Danube Private University (DPU) Krems in the spring and summer of this year showed not only that loss of smell is one of the symptoms of Corona, but also that people infected with Corona can only perceive certain very special odors bad or nothing. In particular menthol and citronellal as well as other odors that are based on the substance groups of aldehydes and alcohols, as indicated in a transmission from the university. The loss of the sense of smell and taste detected by the DPU in the spring of 2020 is now a main symptom of a Covid19 infection recognized by the health authorities.
Loss of smell is also a long-term consequence of a corona infection.
According to Prof. Dr. Christoph Kleber, head of odor studies at DPU Krems, the loss of odor in a significant number of patients is still not fully restored even after four months and therefore needs to be assessed as a long-term consequence of an infection. A total of about 450 people, including 105 with a history of proven infection, participated in the study.
Odor disorders were previously recognized as an early symptom of SARS-Cov2 infection, which often occurs before central respiratory tract symptoms, fever, or muscle pain appear. In most cases, olfactory dysfunction is associated with a decreased sense of taste, is partial, and appears to normalize after a few (two to three) weeks. In the case of completely virus-induced odor loss (anosmia) in particular, there is even evidence of persistent deficits two months after recovery from acute illness, indicating the possibility of chronic or even permanent odor reduction for a significant part of the patient population. The DPU study now shows that even after four months, the sense of smell is still not fully restored, because the previously infected group scored significantly worse on the odor test than the non-infected group. they came into contact with the virus.
Chronic loss of smell
It is now clear that a certain type of cell in the olfactory epithelium, the so-called sustainability or supporting cells, is infected by SARS-CoV2, which in turn has a negative effect on the ability of olfactory nerve cells. These supporting cells can regenerate in a short time, which explains why the sense of smell in many patients supposedly normalizes after two to three weeks.
However, the chronic loss of smell must have other causes or additional causes.
Heike Rebholz, Associate Professor at DPU, highlights: “It is very important to understand to what extent olfactory nerve cells or parts of the brain that are connected to the nasal cavity are affected in chronic olfactory deficiency. The DPU study will provide important information through its focus on different types of odors and will help clarify these questions. “
The results of the study were generated on the basis of a research project funded by the Lower Austrian state government (Department K3 Science and Research). On the basis of the funded project, three publications have been created, two of which have already been published (Frontiers in Neurology and Nachrichten aus der Chemie der GDCh).
