Post-splenectomy Sepsis: A Review of the Literature

Abstract

The spleen is an intraperitoneal organ that performs vital hematological and immunological functions. It maintains both innate and adaptive immunity and protects the body from microbial infections. The removal of the spleen as a treatment method was initiated from the early 1500s for traumatic injuries, even before the physiology of spleen was properly understood. Splenectomy has therapeutic effects in many conditions such as sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), Hodgkin's disease, and lymphoma. However, it increases the risk of infections and, in some cases, can lead to a case of severe sepsis known as overwhelming post-splenectomy infection (OPSI), which has a very high mortality rate. Encapsulated bacteria form a major proportion of the invading organisms, of which the most common is Streptococcus pneumoniae. OPSI is a medical emergency that requires prompt diagnosis (with blood cultures and sensitivity, blood glucose levels, renal function tests, and electrolyte levels) and management with fluid resuscitation along with immediate administration of empirical antimicrobials. OPSI can be prevented by educating patients, vaccination, and antibiotic prophylaxis. This article summarizes the anatomy and physiology of the spleen and highlights its important functions. It primarily focuses on the pathophysiology of OPSI, its current management, and prevention strategies.

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“… Adjust public health clinics and physician routine immunization times, and sites, to better meet patient needs. Make efforts to grow opportunities for routine immunization, such as standing orders for immunization when patients come in contact anywhere in the health system, e.g., visits to emergency rooms or clinics as well as admissions, for instance post splenectomy (Tahir et al 2020 ). …”

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“…30 However, splenectomized (asplenic) or hyposplenic individuals have an increased risk of infections, 28 and this can lead to severe sepsis known as overwhelming post-splenectomy infection (OPSI), which has a very high mortality rate. 31 A previous study showed that a higher Charlson comorbidity index score was significantly associated with severe sepsis/septic shock postsplenectomy. 32 Moreover, splenectomy can alter the serum cytokine profile, exacerbating the systematic inflammatory responses and injury to multiple organs.…”

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