The Post-Infectious Clinical Syndromes (PICS) Working Group, formerly known as the Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection (PASC) Working Group, was established in 2021 to investigate the mechanisms underlying the post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection, commonly referred to as Long COVID.

Since its formation, the group has broadened its scope to study persistent and post-acute symptoms following infections caused by viral, bacterial, and other pathogens that share biological and clinical features with Long COVID.

MassCPR has supported extensive research in this area, including studies of autoimmunity, systemic inflammation, and viral persistence or reactivation, using both mouse models and multi-omic analyses of human samples. Ongoing investigations explore the mechanisms of dysautonomia—a condition involving dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system that affects breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure regulation—and examine the social and economic impacts of Long COVID across diverse communities.

Many members of the PICS group are also investigators in RECOVER, the nationwide initiative launched by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to better understand and address the long-term health outcomes of COVID-19.

Meetings: Fourth Monday of every month at 3:00 p.m. ET — featuring updates from project leads and guest speakers presenting new findings and approaches.