In infected people, lymphocytes were much milder than healthy ones. Such changes can hinder blood circulation and contribute to reduced oxygen levels in the blood.
Patients with COVID-19 may change the size and stiffness of red and white blood cells. This showed the study of blood samples from more than 50 people.
The results of the study were published by the Biophysical Journal.
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The study says that coronavirus can infect cells in different organs of the human body – from the lungs to blood vessels.
Scientists do not yet fully understand exactly what consequences may accompany recovery from COVID-19.
In particular, there is evidence that after coronavirus infection or even vaccination from SARS-CoV-2 patients may experience venous thrombosis.
German doctors have discovered another side effect that may be associated with COVID-19. They examined blood samples from 55 people – 17 patients with infections of varying severity, 14 recovered from COVID and 24 healthy people, more than 4 million blood cells in total.
It turned out that in patients who had been ill or are now suffering from COVID-19, lymphocytes were much milder than in healthy participants in the experiment.
Therefore, they, in particular, deformed more easily. Other blood cells – monocytes – in the first group increased in volume.
Such changes, according to scientists, can impede blood circulation and contribute to hypoxemia – a low oxygen content in the blood.
In addition, the researchers suggest that by similar characteristics of blood cells, it will be possible to detect coronavirus and some other infections.
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