Which statement about endothelial damage in severe infections such as CSF, ASF, and Salmonella is correct?

Which statement about endothelial damage in severe infections such as CSF, ASF, and Salmonella is correct?

• A. Hemorrhages are due to bone marrow suppression
• B. Hemorrhages result from liver dysfunction only
• C. Hemorrhages occur because of cytokines damaging endothelial cells
• D. Hemorrhages are caused by direct bacterial toxins destroying red blood cells

Answer: (C)

In these severe infections, the inflammatory response drives damage to the vascular endothelium. Cytokines such as TNF-alpha and IL-1 activate and injure endothelial cells, making vessels leaky and promoting a procoagulant state. This endothelial injury helps trigger disseminated intravascular coagulation, which consumes platelets and clotting factors and leads to widespread hemorrhages. So, hemorrhages arise from cytokine-mediated endothelial damage rather than from bone marrow suppression, liver dysfunction alone, or direct bacterial destruction of red blood cells.

In these severe infections, the inflammatory response drives damage to the vascular endothelium. Cytokines such as TNF-alpha and IL-1 activate and injure endothelial cells, making vessels leaky and promoting a procoagulant state. This endothelial injury helps trigger disseminated intravascular coagulation, which consumes platelets and clotting factors and leads to widespread hemorrhages. So, hemorrhages arise from cytokine-mediated endothelial damage rather than from bone marrow suppression, liver dysfunction alone, or direct bacterial destruction of red blood cells.