A study of the lungs of people who have died from COVID-19 has found persistent and extensive damage in most cases and may help doctors understand what is behind a syndrome known as ‘long COVID’.

Scientists leading the research say they also found some unique characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 that may explain why it is able to inflict such harm.

“The findings indicate COVID-19 is not simply a disease caused by the death of virus-infected cells but is likely the consequence of these abnormal cells persisting for long periods inside the lungs,” said Professor Mauro Giacca from the UK’s King’s College London.

The research team analysed samples of tissue from the lungs, heart, liver and kidneys of 41 patients who died of COVID-19 at Italy’s University Hospital of Trieste between February and April.