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Hyposplenism is used to describe reduced ('hypo-') splenic functioning, but not as severely affected as with asplenism. Functional asplenia occurs when splenic tissue is present but does not work well (e.g. sickle-cell disease, polysplenia) – such patients are managed as if asplenic – while in anatomic asplenia, the spleen itself is absent.
The spleen is an important immunological organ that acts as a filter for red blood cells, triggers phagocytosis of invaders, and mounts an immunological response when necessary. [2] Lack of a spleen, called asplenia, can occur by autosplenectomy or the surgical counterpart, splenectomy. Asplenia can increase susceptibility to infection. [3]
The spleen is an organ within the lymphatic system and its primary function is to filter blood. However, the spleen also plays a key role in immune responses as it detects pathogens within the blood and secretes phagocytes to fight potential infection. Without these immune functions, individuals with isolated congenital asplenia are extremely ...
Howell–Jolly bodies are seen with markedly decreased splenic function. Common causes include asplenia (post-splenectomy) or congenital absence of spleen (right atrial appendage isomerism). Spleens are also removed for therapeutic purposes in conditions like hereditary spherocytosis , trauma to the spleen, and autosplenectomy caused by sickle ...
The spleen is an important organ in regard to immunological function due to its ability to efficiently destroy encapsulated bacteria. Therefore, removal of the spleen runs the risk of overwhelming post-splenectomy infection , a medical emergency and rapidly fatal disease caused by the inability of the body's immune system to properly fight ...
Partial splenectomy: Since the spleen is important for protecting against encapsulated organisms, sepsis caused by encapsulated organisms is a possible complication of splenectomy. [7] The option of partial splenectomy may be considered in the interest of preserving immune function. Research on outcomes is currently limited, [7] but favorable. [8]
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The spleen is necessary for protection against encapsulated bacteria (see Mechanism) and as such when removed by splenectomy it can lead to rapid unchallenged infection by encapsulated bacteria. The rapid progression from mild viral symptoms to sepsis is one of the things that makes OPSI particularly dangerous.