Scientists found persistent microclot and NET structures in Long COVID blood that may explain long-lasting symptoms.
Researchers examining Long COVID have identified a structural connection between circulating microclots and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). The discovery indicates that the two may interact in the body in ways that could lead to harmful effects when these processes become unregulated.
Microclots are abnormal clusters of blood clotting proteins that move through the bloodstream. The term entered scientific use in 2021, when Prof Resia Pretorius from Stellenbosch University’s Department of Physiological Sciences reported finding these unusual microclots in blood samples from people with COVID-19. The observation received widespread attention because of its potential relevance to clotting complications seen during the pandemic.
To explore whether microclots and NETs interact in Long COVID, the research teams led by Prof Pretorius and Dr Thierry joined forces. Their goal was to determine whether these two features of the blood might be linked in ways that help explain persistent symptoms.
Using imaging flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy, the researchers conducted detailed measurements of microclots and NETs in the plasma of Long COVID patients and compared them to samples from healthy volunteers. They also evaluated NETs by examining proteic markers and circulating DNA.
