Scientists Shockingly Find That the Blood of Those with Long COVID-19 Is Full of Microclots and NET Structures!
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Nov 29, 2025 1 hour, 57 minutes ago
Medical News: Also Shocking Was That These Microclots Are Not Easily Dissolvable by Current Drugs or Processes!
A new wave of scientific research has uncovered a shocking and deeply concerning pattern inside the blood of people suffering from Long COVID. A team of leading experts from Montpellier University and the Montpellier Cancer Institute (IRCM) at INSERM in France together with researchers from Stellenbosch University in South Africa have discovered that the blood of Long COVID patients is filled with massive amounts of persistent microclots that are tightly intertwined with neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). Their findings suggest that this dangerous combination may be a key factor behind the lingering symptoms millions continue to face worldwide. As this
Medical News report explains, the newly uncovered interaction between microclots and NETs may help explain why Long COVID can persist for months or even years.
Scientists reveal that Long COVID patients carry large amounts of intertwined microclots and
NET structures that may drive persistent symptoms
Understanding Microclots and Why They Matter
Microclots are tiny, abnormal clumps of proteins—especially damaged or misfolded fibrin—that circulate through the bloodstream. These unusual clots were first identified in 2021 by Prof Resia Pretorius from Stellenbosch University, who noticed that patients with COVID-19 had dense, sticky microclots that resisted normal breakdown processes. Under the microscope, these microclots appear different from typical clots; they are thicker, more compact and contain amyloid-like properties that make them extremely hard for the body to clear. Over time, these microclots can block tiny blood vessels, disrupt tissue oxygenation and trigger chronic inflammation—problems strongly linked to Long COVID.
What NETs Do and Why They Become Dangerous
NETs, or neutrophil extracellular traps, are web-like structures released by neutrophils—one of the body’s frontline immune cells. Normally, NETs are deployed to trap and neutralize invading bacteria and viruses. They are made of strands of DNA coated with powerful enzymes such as myeloperoxidase and neutrophil elastase. But the research team led by Dr Alain Thierry from the Montpellier Cancer Institute found that excessive NET formation, especially when it becomes chronic, can fuel inflammation, damage tissues and promote abnormal clot formation. NET overproduction has been linked to severe COVID-19, autoimmune disorders, diabetes and other inflammatory illnesses.
A Major Breakthrough Linking Microclots and NETs
To determine whether microclots and NETs interact in Long COVID patients, the research teams combined advanced imaging techniques, including flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. They analyzed plasma samples from Long COVID patients and compared them with samples from healthy individuals, looking for both the presence and the size of microclots, as well as NET markers such as circulating DNA and enzyme levels.
&
;nbsp;
Their findings were striking.
• Long COVID patients had dramatically higher levels of both microclots and NETs
• The microclots were not only more numerous but also significantly larger
• NETs and microclots were structurally intertwined, forming complex, harmful clusters
• AI-driven biomarker analysis clearly distinguished Long COVID patients from healthy controls
These results strongly suggest that NETs may actually help stabilize and strengthen microclots, making them far harder for the body to dissolve. This structural binding may explain why patients experience long-lasting blood flow problems, chronic fatigue, neurological symptoms and cardiovascular complications.
Why This Discovery Matters for Future Treatment
By showing that NETs appear to be embedded within microclots, the study highlights a potential mechanism driving the persistence of Long COVID symptoms. If NETs reinforce microclots and prevent them from breaking down, this could lead to extended microvascular obstruction, tissue damage and ongoing inflammation throughout the body. The discovery opens new doors for treatments targeting NET formation, microclot breakdown or both. It also moves researchers closer to identifying reliable biomarkers for diagnosing and monitoring post-viral syndromes.
Conclusions
This groundbreaking study reveals a profound biological connection between microclots and NET structures in Long COVID patients. The finding that NETs may act as a stabilizing component inside microclots provides a crucial missing link that helps explain why so many people continue to suffer long after the initial infection. By establishing that these blood abnormalities are both significantly elevated and structurally intertwined, the research offers a foundation for new diagnostic tools and therapeutic approaches. As scientists continue their work, these insights may be essential for developing effective treatments and helping millions reclaim their health from this persistent condition.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed Journal of Medical Virology.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jmv.70613
For the latest COVID-19 News, keep on logging to Thailand
Medical News.
Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/long-covid
https://www.thailandmedical.news/articles/coronavirus
Share
Tweet
Share
