German researchers have discovered why there have been several cases of thrombosis with the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine and also how to solve the problem if it emerges in future, according to a report set to be published shortly in the Lancet.
Researchers from the University of Greifswald in the town of Greifswald in the German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern analysed blood samples from six thromboses victims and said they discovered the cause of the issue.
Dr Andreas Greinacher, head of the university’s transfusion medicine department who lead the research, confirmed that blood platelets, also called thrombocytes, were activated by the active ingredient of the vaccine in all samples they obtained from the Paul Ehrlich Institute (PEI) based in the German capital Berlin.
Platelets are small, colourless cell fragments in the blood that form clots and prevent bleeding.
After the AstraZeneca vaccine was injected into the victims’ bodies, its active ingredient activated the platelets, which normally only happens when the blood tries to close a wound and heal.
According to radiology reports conducted by the scientists, some of the patients manifested cerebral clotting even without the presence of a wound because the mechanism had been activated by the vaccine.
Researchers believe that affected patients could be treated with an active ingredient that dissolves the cerebral clots, however, they emphasised thrombosis medicine should not be taken preventively.
In order to prevent further complications and ensure optimal outcomes, the active ingredient must be taken after blood clot formation.
The study was carried out by German scientists after several cerebral thrombosis cases resulting in deaths that emerged in both countries in the past month.
It will be published in the peer-reviewed journal The Lancet.
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Story By: Georgina Jadikovska, Sub-Editor: Marija Stojkoska, Agency: Newsflash
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