Asplenia

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**Asplenia**
*Classifications and external resources*
ICD-10	D73.0, Q89.0
ICD-9	759.01

Asplenia refers to the absence ('a-') of normal spleen function and is associated with some risks. Asplenia may be congenital (congenital asplenia), or acquired through surgery (splenectomy) or through processes that destroy the spleen, generally through its function to filter the blood and therefore referred to as autosplenectomy (eg spherocytosis and sickle-cell disease).

Asplenia increases the risk of septicaemia from encapsulated bacteria, and can result in a syndrome known as overwhelming post splenectomy infection (OPSI) which can kill within a few hours. In particular patients are at risk from Pneumococcus, but also Haemophilus influenzae & Meningococcus. To minimise these risks, antibiotic & vaccination protocols have been established,^[1]^[2] but are often poorly adhered to by doctors and patients.^[3]

The risk to asplenic patients has been expressed as equivalent for a child to die in home accident, and for adults dying in a road traffic accident (reference UK Splenectomy Trust Advice) - so sensible precautions are needed, but no panic.^[4]

1 Antibiotic prophylaxis
2 Vaccinations
3 Travel measures
4 Additional measures
5 Hyposplenism
6 External links
7 Footnotes

[edit] Antibiotic prophylaxis

Because of the increased risk of infection, physicians administer oral antibiotics as a prophylaxis after a surgical splenectomy. The duration suggested varies: one suggestion is that antibiotics be taken for two years or until the age of sixteen years old is reached, whichever is longer.

Patients are also cautioned to start a full-dose course of antibiotics at the first onset of an upper or lower respiratory tract infection (for example, sore throat or cough), or at the onset of any fever.

[edit] Vaccinations

It is suggested that splenectomized persons receive the following vaccinations:

pneumococcus every 6 years (a conjugated form is used for children under 2 years)
Haemophilus influenzae - whilst in many countries now routinely given to all children, those adults who may not have had a course require a single dose.
meningococcus-'C' conjugate vaccine - again routinely given to children in many countries, any non-immunised adult will require a single dose.
annual flu vaccinations - to help prevent getting secondary bacterial infection.

[edit] Travel measures

In addition to the normal immunisations advised for the countries to be visited, Group A meningococcus should be included if visiting counties of particular risk (e.g. sub-saharan Africa). The non-conjugated Meningitis A&C vaccines usually used for this purpose give only 3 years coverage and provide less-effective long-term cover for Meningitis C than the conjugated form already mentioned.

Those lacking a functional spleen are at higher risk of catching malaria and dying from this. Travel to malarial areas will carry greater risks and may be best avoided. Travellers should take the most appropriate anti-malarial prophylaxis medication and be extra vigilant over measures to prevent mosquito bites.

The pneumococcal vaccinations may not cover some of the other strains of pneumococcal bacteria present in other countries. Likewise their antibiotic resistance may also vary, requiring a different choice of stand-by antibiotic.

[edit] Additional measures

Surgical and Dental procedures - Antibiotic prophylaxis may be required before certain surgical or dental proceedures.
Animal bites - adequate antibiotic cover is required after even minor dog or other animal bites. Asplenic patients are particularly susceptible to infection by C. canimorsus and should receive a five day course of co-amoxiclav (erythromycin in patients allergic to penicillin).^[5]
Tick bites - Babesiosis is a rare tickborne infection. Patients should check themselves or have themselves inspected for tick bites if they are in an at-risk situation. Presentation with fever, fatigue, and haemolytic anaemia requires diagnostic confirmation by identifying the parasites within red blood cells on blood film and by specific serology. Quinine (with or without clindamycin) is usually an effective treatment.^[5]
Alert warning - Consider carrying a card, or wearing a special bracelet or necklet which says that you do not have a working spleen. This would alert a doctor to take rapid action if you are seriously ill and cannot tell them yourself.

[edit] Hyposplenism

Hyposplenism is the condition where the spleen is poorly-functioning but not as severely affected as with asplenism.

[edit] External links

Septicaemia Risks In Patients with Non-functioning Spleens (DOC). Medik.Info (2004). - patient factsheet, expanded from the original (UK) Splenectomy Trust 1993 factsheet.