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  • Journal
    Summary: Biomedicines publishes cutting-edge research for a diverse audience: academic and clinical researchers, biotechnology companies, healthcare professionals, regulatory and ethical experts, and government and regulatory authorities.
    Digital Access
    Provider
    Version
    PubMed Central
    v. 1-, 2013-
    MDPI
    v. 1-, 2013-
  • Article
    Krivit W.
    Am J Hematol. 1977;2(2):193-201.
    One of the more intriguing aspects of the spleen is the protection against certain bacterial infections afforded by its unique vascular and immune function. There have been extensive clinical surveys which indicate an incidence of overwhelming postsplenectomy infection (OPSI) above that of the disease for which the splenectomy was done. In the absence of the spleen, either congenital or subsequent to surgical removal, this overwhelming sepsis has a 50% case fatality rate. The most common infective organism has been Diplococcus (tstreptococcus) pneumoniae (D. pneumoniae). Intensive investigations indicated loss of phagocytic function of the spleen, depression of serum IgM levels, a possible suppression of the lymphocyte responsiveness, and changes in opsonin-alternative complement system as potential causes of OPSI. Preventive measures against OPSI include trials of prophylactic Phenoxymethyl Penicillin (penicillin) and pneumococcal vaccine.
    Digital Access Access Options