Table of Contents
Are you immunocompromised if you have had a splenectomy?
1,2 Patients who have had a splenectomy or have functional asplenia are immunocompromised and are at increased risk for severe and overwhelming bacterial infections, particularly from encapsulated bacteria. These bacterial infections are more likely to occur in patients with viral infections.
Why are Asplenic patients more susceptible to encapsulated bacteria?
Functional asplenia Patients who have some form of asplenia have an increased susceptibility to these encapsulated bacterial infections mainly because they lack IgM memory B cells and their non-adherence to polysaccharide vaccines. Furthermore, there is a deficiency of other splenic cells e.g. splenic macrophages.
How long does it take for your immune system to recover after a splenectomy?
It will take about four to six weeks to recover from the procedure.
What are some management strategies for patients with asplenia?
Antibiotic prophylaxis and vaccinations are the recommended management in many asplenic patients and those with acquired immunodeficiency and asplenia. [10] As noted, patients who do not receive immunizations are at high risk of severe bacterial infection, sepsis, septic shock, and death.
What infections are Asplenic patients at risk for?
Infections in patients with asplenia or hyposplenia are most commonly due to encapsulated bacteria, including pneumococcal, meningococcal, and Haemophilus influenzae infections.
What do you call someone without a spleen?
Isolated congenital asplenia is a condition in which affected individuals are missing their spleen (asplenia) but have no other developmental abnormalities. While most individuals with this condition have no spleen at all, some people have a very small, nonfunctional spleen (hyposplenism).
What are the treatment options for asplenic infection?
Antibiotic prophylaxis and vaccinations are the recommended management in many asplenic patients and those with acquired immunodeficiency and asplenia.[10] As noted, patients who do not receive immunizations are at high risk of severe bacterial infection, sepsis, septic shock, and death.
What is the asplenic population?
The asplenic population is heterogeneous and includes patients with surgical asplenia, functional asplenia, and congenital asplenia.
What are the possible complications of asplenic splenectomy?
The most common medical complication in asplenic patients is an overwhelming post-splenectomy infection (OPSI). As noted, asplenic patients are at higher risk of infection with encapsulated microorganisms (e.g., streptococcal pneumonia).
Are asplenic patients at risk for sepsis?
Care of the Asplenic Patient Asplenic patients are at risk for episodes of rapidly progressive septicemia that are fatal in up to 50% of cases. Asplenic patients should be informed that any illness with fever or severe symptoms without fever could indicate the onset of a life-threatening infection.