Finally, expression of six vascular inflammatory markers (Myoglobin, NGAL, MMP-2, OPN, IGFBP-4, and Cystatin C) was unexpectedly decreased in recovered participants compared to the control cohort for up to one-year post recovery.<h4>Conclusions</h4>Overall, this data indicates that COVID-19 and other acute viral infections may have a modest impact on the chemoreflex control of breathing as well as systemic inflammatory profiles, and that these changes may be linked to each other. Here, MMP2 is linked to viral infectious disease.