Unusual microscopic structures found in the blood of people with long COVID could be a key to understanding why symptoms persist for months or even years after the initial infection. New research suggests these changes may contribute to debilitating fatigue and brain fog, offering a potential target for future treatments.
The Mystery of Long COVID
The reasons some individuals experience prolonged symptoms after a SARS-CoV-2 infection remain a medical puzzle. Multiple mechanisms are likely at play, and one emerging theory centers around abnormal blood clots and immune responses.
Microclots and NETs: A Dangerous Combination
Researchers have been investigating two key markers: microclots—tiny, persistent blood clots that restrict blood flow—and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). NETs are sticky webs released by white blood cells to trap pathogens, but when overproduced or prolonged, they can contribute to blood flow problems and inflammation.
New Findings: A Physical Link
A recent collaboration between researchers in France and South Africa revealed a striking connection: NETs appear to be physically embedded within the microclots in the blood of long COVID patients. This interaction was observed in all samples but was far more pronounced in those with long COVID, suggesting a dysregulation that could make the clots more resistant to the body’s natural breakdown processes.
The Study: How It Was Done
The study analyzed blood samples from 50 long COVID patients and 38 healthy volunteers. Using advanced imaging techniques like flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy, researchers found that long COVID patients had a 19.7-fold increase in microclot levels compared to healthy controls. These clots were also larger and contained embedded NETs.
Implications for Diagnosis
The differences were so dramatic that an AI agent could identify long COVID patients with 91% accuracy based solely on these blood markers. This suggests that microclots and NETs could serve as a reliable biomarker for diagnosing long COVID, a condition that has proven difficult to detect using standard tests.
What This Means for Treatment
While more research is needed to establish a direct causal link, these findings offer a promising avenue for developing targeted treatments. Understanding how these blood components contribute to long COVID symptoms could lead to new therapies aimed at dissolving clots, reducing NET formation, or improving blood flow.
The discovery of these interactions offers a new direction in understanding and treating long COVID, potentially bringing relief to those living with persistent symptoms
