Researchers in Sweden believe they may have identified a primary reason so many COVID-19 patients suffer from thrombosis, sharing their findings in Thrombosis and Haemostasis.
The team’s discovery revolves around mannose-binding lectin (MBL), a protein that is part of the body’s natural immune system. Exploring data from 65 patients who received care at a single facility in Sweden, the authors found elevated MBL levels were strongly associated with developing thrombosis.
MBL, the researchers explained, may be contributing to blood coagulation in these patients—and that coagulation then leads to thrombosis.
These findings, the authors added, could help lead clinicians to start regularly testing the MBL activity of COVID-19 patients. Medication that can ease MBL elevation may also be a target of research teams in the years ahead.
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