Recent research has shown that SARS-CoV-2 may have an effect on the size and stiffness of blood cells.
During the study, scientists studied blood samples from 50 people. The results were published by the Biophysical Journal. Based on the data obtained, the size and stiffness of red and white blood cells can change under the influence of the coronavirus.
It is capable of infecting cells in various organs of the body, from blood vessels to the lungs. Researchers are not yet able to determine with certainty the full extent of the consequences that may manifest themselves in the course of recovery from COVID-19. There is, for example, data on the possibility of venous thrombosis. Moreover, both after the transferred illness and after the vaccinations.
Researchers in Germany have identified another side effect that may be associated with SARS-CoV-2. During the experiment, blood samples (more than 4 million blood cells) of 55 people were studied, including: 14 recovered from the coronavirus, 17 patients with infections of varying severity, 24 healthy people.
As it turned out, in patients and patients with COVID-19, lymphocytes turned out to be softer and more susceptible to deformation compared to healthy participants in the experiment. And monocytes in patients with infection increased in volume. What is the threat? Scientists argue that the detected changes can cause hypoxemia (reduce the oxygen content in the blood) and impede blood circulation.
The researchers also suggest that these characteristics of the blood cells will help detect coronavirus and other infections.
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