Dengue is the most important arboviral infection with almost 96 million cases annually occur in the tropics. Most cases are mild, although a subset of patients developed a shock syndrome due to an excessive plasma leakage. Disruption of the endothelial glycocalyx layer is now considered as the key player in the pathogenesis of this transient plasma leakage.
In December 2019, a novel coronavirus disease was identified and subsequently declared as a global pandemic. Most COVID-19 cases were also mild with a subset of patients developed severe respiratory distress syndrome. Importantly, in addition to the lung hyperinflammation, thrombotic complications were also commonly seen in severely ill patients.
Our studies highlighted the associations between different inflammatory mediators with endothelial glycocalyx degradation, platelet activation and possible link with plasma leakage in dengue. In addition, we also provide a novel insight in the platelet involvement in preserving vascular integrity and thrombosis in COVID-19 patients.
Fadel Muhammad Garishah (1991) obtained his medical degree with honor (2015) at the Diponegoro University, Semarang, Indonesia. In 2018, he started his PhD at the Department of Internal Medicine, Radboudumc, exploring the interaction between immune response, endothelium and platelets in dengue and COVID-19. Currently, he is an internal medicine resident at the Diponegoro University/Dr. Kariadi Hospital, Semarang, Indonesia.