Project start: 07/02/2022

Project end:

The pathophysiology underlying Long COVID remains unclear but appears to involve multiple mechanisms including persistent inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. Studies suggest that 'microclots', also known as fibrinaloids, play a role in Long COVID. Microclots contain misfolded proteins that can be detected in plasma samples using a dye called Thioflavin-T. Building on previous work and using their expertise in analysing misfolded proteins the research team have developed a method to quantify microclots, and investigated the relationship between microclot counts and Long COVID.

Long COVID samples have a higher microclot count compared to control groups. Samples taken after recent COVID-19 infections also have microclot counts higher than the control groups and equivalent to the Long COVID cohort, with a subsequent time-dependent reduction of counts. The findings suggest that microclots could be a potential biomarker of disease and/or a treatment target in some Long COVID patients.