Overwhelming post-splenectomy infection

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Overwhelming post-splenectomy infection or OPSI is a rapidly fatal septicaemia infection due to the absence of spleen protection against certain bacteria (asplenia).

Patients with absent (eg splenectomy) or non-functional spleens can die of these uncommon infections in a few hours. The risk of contracting an OPSI for such patients is 0.23-0.42% per year, with a lifetime risk of 5%, and an associated mortality of 38-69%.[1] Prevention with vaccinations and antibiotics can largely prevent OPSI - see asplenia for details.[2][3]

[edit] Footnotes

  1. ^ Davidson R, Wall R (2001). "Prevention and management of infections in patients without a spleen". Clin Microbiol Infect 7 (12): 657-60. PMID 11843905. 
  2. ^ (1996) "Guidelines for the prevention and treatment of infection in patients with an absent or dysfunctional spleen. Working Party of the British Committee for Standards in Haematology Clinical Haematology Task Force". BMJ 312 (7028): 430-4. PMID 8601117. 
  3. ^ J M Davies et al (2001-06-02). "The Prevention And Treatment Of Infection In Patients With An Absent Or Dysfunctional Spleen - British Committee for Standards in Haematology Guideline up-date". BMJ. 
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