Endothelial activation and dysregulation: A common pathway to organ injury in infectious diseases associated with systemic inflammation

Endothelial beds are a common feature of all organs damaged during systemic inflammatory responses caused by both infectious and non-infectious diseases. Using severe malaria (a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality) as an example, we discuss endothelial activation and dysregulation – mediated by complement activation, and angiogenic and coagulation factors – as a common pathway to inflammation-induced end-organ injury and dysfunction.

Section editor:W. Conrad Liles – Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada