A study published in Lancet Infect Dis (2024;24(6):e345–e347) investigated the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antigens in plasma from 171 adults infected with SARS-CoV-2, tested at multiple time points over 14 months post-infection. The study compared results with 250 adults from before the pandemic, who were not infected with SARS-CoV-2. Using the Simoa platform, they detected SARS-CoV-2 spike, S1, and nucleocapsid antigens in 9.2% of pandemic-era participants, compared to 2% in pre-pandemic participants. The prevalence of detectable antigens increased over time, with the highest prevalence at 3.0–6.0 months post-onset (11% higher), followed by 6.1–10.0 months (8.7% higher), and 10.1–14.1 months (5.4% higher). Participants who required hospitalization had a higher prevalence of antigen detection, suggesting a link between acute infection severity and persistent antigen presence. The study also found that individuals with worse health during acute infection had higher post-acute antigen detection. These findings suggest that SARS-CoV-2 may persist in some locations for up to 14 months after infection, possibly establishing protected reservoirs. However, the study notes that the assay's specificity is not 100%, and that vaccination or recent reinfection could affect results. The study highlights the need for further research into the clinical implications of SARS-CoV-2 persistence, particularly its relationship to post-acute symptoms and complications. The study was supported by various funding sources and includes a declaration of interest from some authors.A study published in Lancet Infect Dis (2024;24(6):e345–e347) investigated the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antigens in plasma from 171 adults infected with SARS-CoV-2, tested at multiple time points over 14 months post-infection. The study compared results with 250 adults from before the pandemic, who were not infected with SARS-CoV-2. Using the Simoa platform, they detected SARS-CoV-2 spike, S1, and nucleocapsid antigens in 9.2% of pandemic-era participants, compared to 2% in pre-pandemic participants. The prevalence of detectable antigens increased over time, with the highest prevalence at 3.0–6.0 months post-onset (11% higher), followed by 6.1–10.0 months (8.7% higher), and 10.1–14.1 months (5.4% higher). Participants who required hospitalization had a higher prevalence of antigen detection, suggesting a link between acute infection severity and persistent antigen presence. The study also found that individuals with worse health during acute infection had higher post-acute antigen detection. These findings suggest that SARS-CoV-2 may persist in some locations for up to 14 months after infection, possibly establishing protected reservoirs. However, the study notes that the assay's specificity is not 100%, and that vaccination or recent reinfection could affect results. The study highlights the need for further research into the clinical implications of SARS-CoV-2 persistence, particularly its relationship to post-acute symptoms and complications. The study was supported by various funding sources and includes a declaration of interest from some authors.