Association of Endothelial Glycocalyx and Tight and Adherens Junctions With Severity of Plasma Leakage in Dengue Infection

Background The role of vascular endothelial (VE) components in dengue infection with plasma leakage is unknown. Therefore, we conducted a study to determine the adjusted association of the endothelial glycocalyx layer (EGL) and tight and adherens junction markers with plasma leakage. Methods A prospective observational study was conducted at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital and Persahabatan Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia. Adult dengue patients admitted to the hospital on the third day of fever from November 2013 through August 2015 were included in the study. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine the adjusted association of the VE biomarkers with the severity of the plasma leakage. Results A total of 103 dengue-infected patients participated in the study. In the critical phase, levels of syndecan-1 (odds ratio [OR] = 1.004; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.001-1.007) and chondroitin sulfate (OR = 1.157; 95% CI = 1.025-1.307) had an adjusted association with plasma leakage, whereas levels of syndecan-1 (OR = 1.004; 95% CI = 1.000-1.008) and claudin-5 (OR = 1.038; 95% CI = 1.004-1.074) had an adjusted association with severe plasma leakage. Conclusions In dengue-infected patients, elevated levels of syndecan-1 and chondroitin sulfate are strongly associated with plasma leakage, and elevated levels of syndecan-1 and claudin-5 are strongly associated with severe plasma leakage.