Specific components associated with the endothelial glycocalyx are lost from brain capillaries in cerebral malaria.

Cerebral malaria (CM) is a rare, but severe and frequently fatal outcome of infections with Plasmodium falciparum. Pathogenetic mechanisms include endothelial activation and sequestration of parasitized erythrocytes in the cerebral microvessels. Increased concentrations of glycosaminoglycans in urine and plasma of malaria patients have been described, suggesting involvement of endothelial glycocalyx.