Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 1, 2025
Author Spotlight: Deciphering Coagulation Disorders in Traumatic Brain Injury Patients
Published on: August 4, 2023
COVID-19 Infection and Circulating Microparticles-Reviewing Evidence as Microthrombogenic Risk Factor for Cerebral
Che Mohd Nasril Che Mohd Nassir1, Sabarisah Hashim1,2, Kah Keng Wong2,3
1Department of Neurosciences, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus, 16150, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.
Insights
COVID-19 infection may increase microthrombogenic microparticles, potentially causing cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD). This review explores the link between SARS-CoV-2 and CSVD, highlighting risks beyond the pandemic.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Cardiovascular Science
Background:
- COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) causes significant global morbidity and mortality.
- COVID-19 infection is linked to cardio- and cerebrovascular complications.
- Inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and coagulopathy are key in COVID-19-associated CVD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review evidence on COVID-19's impact on microthrombogenic microparticle formation.
- To explore the link between SARS-CoV-2 and cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD).
- To assess the potential for long-term CSVD manifestations post-COVID-19.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of current evidence.
- Analysis of COVID-19 pathogenesis and cerebrovascular disease mechanisms.
- Focus on microparticle formation and microthrombosis in CSVD.
Main Results:
- Heightened inflammation and oxidative stress in COVID-19 may elevate microparticles (MPs).
- MPs can act as pro-coagulant factors, promoting microthrombosis.
- This process may lead to CSVD manifestations, including occult CSVD.
Conclusions:
- COVID-19 infection poses a risk for developing or exacerbating CSVD.
- Microthrombogenic MPs are a plausible mechanism linking SARS-CoV-2 to CSVD.
- CSVD risks associated with COVID-19 may persist long after the acute infection.
Abstract:
Severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) due to novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected the global society in numerous unprecedented ways, with considerable morbidity and mortality. Both direct and indirect consequences from COVID-19 infection are recognized to give rise to cardio- and cerebrovascular complications. Despite current limited knowledge on COVID-19 pathogenesis, inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and coagulopathy appear to play critical roles in COVID-19-associated cerebrovascular disease (CVD). One of the major subtypes of CVD is cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) which represents a spectrum of pathological processes of various etiologies affecting the brain microcirculation that can trigger subsequent neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. Prevalent with aging, CSVD is a recognized risk factor for stroke, vascular dementia, and Alzheimer's disease. In the background of COVID-19 infection, the heightened cellular activations from inflammations and oxidative stress may result in elevated levels of microthrombogenic extracellular-derived circulating microparticles (MPs). Consequently, MPs could act as pro-coagulant risk factor that may serve as microthrombi for the vulnerable microcirculation in the brain leading to CSVD manifestations. This review aims to appraise the accumulating body of evidence on the plausible impact of COVID-19 infection on the formation of microthrombogenic MPs that could lead to microthrombosis in CSVD manifestations, including occult CSVD which may last well beyond the pandemic era.
