New study suggests crucial role for lymphocytes in asymptomatic COVID-19 infection

A retrospective study of 52 COVID-19 patients may help researchers better understand why not everyone show symptoms of the disease. The study’s authors found that asymptomatic patients hosted viral loads comparable to those of symptomatic patients, but asymptomatic patients showed higher levels of lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell responsible for immune responses), cleared the viral particles faster, and had lower risks of long-term complications.