Researchers have discovered unusual structures in the blood of individuals with long Covid, shedding light on possible causes for symptoms like brain fog and fatigue. The presence of these unique biomarkers has sparked interest in two potential theories that could explain the condition.
One theory suggests that the fatigue and other symptoms may be linked to small blood clots that impede proper blood circulation. Another aspect under investigation is the presence of sticky DNA webs that could have a similar effect on the body.
Although it is still early in the research process, medical experts are optimistic that understanding how these blood components impact long Covid could lead to advancements in treatment and possibly a cure.
A recent study published in the Journal of Medical Virology, led by Professor Alain Thierry of Montpellier University and Professor Resia Pretorius from South Africa, examined blood samples from 50 long Covid patients and 38 healthy volunteers. The analysis revealed a significant increase in the size and quantity of clots in the long Covid patients’ blood compared to the healthy samples.
The clots found in the samples contained ‘NETs’ (neutrophil extracellular traps), which are sticky webs made of DNA and enzymes released by white blood cells to trap viruses. Instead of disintegrating as usual, the NETs appeared intertwined with the clots, forming resilient structures that could obstruct blood flow and evade the body’s natural cleaning processes.
Using advanced imaging techniques, the researchers identified these tangled clots in all samples, with a more pronounced presence in individuals with long Covid. The distinctiveness of these findings was so significant that an AI system could differentiate the long Covid patients with approximately 91% accuracy when the samples were anonymized, hinting at a potential biomarker for diagnosing this often misunderstood condition.
The study’s findings align with previous observations by Pretorius’s team in 2021 regarding microclots in long Covid and Thierry’s group in 2022 concerning elevated NETs. The new research suggests a potential collaboration between these two factors in the blood, indicating that when this partnership goes awry, it could lead to health complications.