Hyposplenism Flashcards
spleen immunology role
reservoir for lymphocytes
bacteraemias
causes of splenomegaly
CML malaria portal hypertension haemolytic anaemia connective tissue disease infection - TB, EBV
main indications for splenectomy
splenic trauma
autoimmune haemolysis
warm autoimmune haemolytic anaemia
hypersplenism
why is it important to mobilise early following splenectomy?
transient increase in platelets - thrombi
characteristic blood film following splenectomy
howell jolly bodies
pappenheimer bodies
target cells
main problem post splenectomy
increased risk from infection
most common infections post splenectomy
strep pneumoniae
H influenzae
N meningitidis
5 ways to reduce risk of infections
vaccinations prophylactic abx medical cards to alert staff seek medical advice if signs of infection travel advice re malaria prophylaxis
immunisations
pneumococcal
hib
men B, C, ACWY
annual flu vaccine
antibiotic prophylaxis
penicillin v
erythromycin if allergic
hyposplenism causes
sickle cell
coeliac
alcoholic liver disease
lymphoma
what is the general class of infections more at risk of?
encapsulated bacteria
haematological changes
lymphocytosis
neutrophilia
reactive thrombocytosis
what is the lack of howell jolly bodies in asplenic patients suggestive of?
accessory spleen
why is there an increased risk of encapsulated bacteria infections?
encapsulated bacteria usually opsonised with antibodies then phagocytosed by specialised macrophages
