Circulating microaggregates as biomarkers for the Post-COVID syndrome

M Hermann; C Lisch; R Gerth; G Wick; D Fries; N Wick

doi:10.1016/j.idcr.2024.e02000

Circulating microaggregates as biomarkers for the Post-COVID syndrome

IDCases. 2024 May 24:36:e02000. doi: 10.1016/j.idcr.2024.e02000. eCollection 2024.

Authors

M Hermann¹, C Lisch², R Gerth³, G Wick⁴, D Fries⁴, N Wick³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Medical University Innsbruck, Austria.
² Sanatorium Hochrum, Rum, Austria.
³ Specialized Laboratories Wick, Speckbacherstrasse 23, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
⁴ Division of Pathophysiology, Biocenter, Innsbruck Medical University, Austria.

Abstract

CoVID-19 can develop into Post-COVID syndrome of potentially high morbidity, with procoagulation and reactivation of dormant viral infections being hypothesized pathophysiological mechanisms. We report on a patient suffering from fatigue, post exertional malaise, pain and neurological symptoms as a consequence of the second CoVID infection. Using live confocal microscopy on native whole blood samples we detected microaggregates of thrombocytes, leukocytes and plasma proteins in peripheral blood. In addition, there was specific cellular immunological reactivity to EBV. Upon anticoagulatory and virustatic pharmacological therapy we observed dissolution of microaggregates and significant stable clinical remission. We suggest to consider circulating microaggregates as a morphological indicator of chronic post-COVID syndrome.

Keywords: Chronic fatigue; Coagulation; Post-CoVID.

Publication types

Case Reports