Long Covid remains one of the most mysterious components of what was once called the novel coronavirus and which is now heading towards the second anniversary of its first case in Wuhan, China.
As scientists across the globe try to figure out why some people have lingering symptoms several months after being infected, a researcher at Stellenbosch University has revealed one potential cause.
Prof Resia Pretorius, a researcher in the physiological science department, has found the first evidence that suggests inflammatory micro clots in the blood are to blame.
Her research indicates that an overload of various inflammatory molecules, literally “trapped” inside insoluble microscopic blood clots (micro clots), might be the cause of some of these lingering symptoms.
This unexpected finding was made when Pretorius started looking at micro clots and their molecular content in blood samples from individuals with Long Covid.
The findings have since been peer-reviewed and published in the journal Cardiovascular Diabetology.
“Some of the trapped molecules contain clotting proteins such as fibrinogen, as well as alpha(2)-antiplasmin,” Pretorius explains.
Alpha(2)-antiplasmin is a molecule that prevents the breakdown of blood clots, while fibrinogen is the main clotting protein.
With high levels of alpha(2)-antiplasmin in the blood of Covid-19 patients and individuals suffering from long Covid, the body’s ability to break down the clots is significantly inhibited.
Pretorius was alerted by another researcher, Dr Maré Vlok, who noted that the blood plasma samples from individuals with acute and long Covid continued to deposit insoluble pellets at the bottom of the tubes after dilution.
He alerted Pretorius to this observation and she investigated further.
They said further research wais recommended.
Meanwhile, a large study from Oxford University and the National Institute for Health Research in the UK has found that as many as 37% of Covid-19 survivors experience at least one long-term symptom three to six months after being infected.
Reuters reported that the study found the symptoms to be fatigue, pain, anxiety and breathing problems.
It involved 270,000 people and the symptoms were most frequent among those who had been previously hospitalised with the virus.
“We need to identify the mechanisms underlying the diverse symptoms that can affect survivors,” said Oxford University professor Paul Harrison, who headed the study.
“This information will be essential if the long-term health consequences of Covid-19 are to be prevented or treated effectively,” he added.
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