Tiny Clots and Immune Changes Offer Clues to Treating Long COVID

Researchers have made a significant breakthrough in understanding the underlying causes of long COVID, a persistent condition affecting many patients after recovering from the initial COVID-19 infection. The study, published in the Journal of Medical Virology, has identified abnormal interactions between tiny blood clots called microclots and changes in the immune system's white blood cells, known as neutrophils.

Microclots, which are abnormal clumps of blood-clotting proteins, were first discovered in the blood of COVID-19 patients. Now, scientists have found that these microclots appear larger in size and more prevalent in individuals suffering from long COVID. Additionally, the researchers observed that a specific type of neutrophil undergoes a unique transformation, expelling its DNA to form web-like structures called neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs).

The interaction between these microclots and NETs is believed to be a key driver of the long-lasting symptoms associated with long COVID, including fatigue, brain fog, and breathlessness. The researchers suspect that the excessive formation of NETs, potentially triggered by the presence of microclots, contributes to a cascade of inflammatory and blood-clotting issues that prolong the COVID-like symptoms.

The findings provide a new perspective on the underlying mechanisms of long COVID and could lead to the development of targeted treatment strategies to address this persistent condition. By understanding the complex interplay between microclots and the immune system, researchers hope to uncover more effective ways to manage and potentially cure long COVID in the future.