Background and Purpose Immune responses to brain antigens after stroke contribute to poor outcome. We hypothesized that splenectomy would lessen the development of such responses and improve outcome. Methods Male Lewis rats (275–350 g) underwent 2 hrs middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) immediately after splenectomy or sham-splenectomy. Animals were survived to 4 wks and immune responses to myelin basic protein (MBP) determined at sacrifice. Infarct volume was determined in a subset of animals sacrificed at 72 hrs. Behavioral outcomes were assessed to 672 hrs. Results Splenectomy was associated with worse neurological scores early after stroke, but infarct size at 72 hrs was similar in both groups. Behavioral outcomes and immune responses to MBP were also similar among splenectomized and sham-operated animals 672 hrs after MCAO. Conclusions Splenectomy did not alter the immune responses to brain antigens or improve outcome after stroke. Differences between this study and other studies of splenectomy and stroke are examined.

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