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An overwhelming post-splenectomy infection (OPSI) is a rare but rapidly fatal infection occurring in individuals following removal (or permanent dysfunction) of the spleen. The infections are typically characterized by either meningitis or sepsis , and are caused by encapsulated organisms including Streptococcus pneumoniae . [ 3 ]
Therefore, patients are administered the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (Prevnar), Hib vaccine, and the meningococcal vaccine post-operatively (see asplenia). These bacteria often cause a sore throat under normal circumstances but after splenectomy, when infecting bacteria cannot be adequately opsonized, the infection becomes more severe.
Asplenia is a form of immunodeficiency, increasing the risk of sepsis from polysaccharide encapsulated bacteria, [14] and can result in overwhelming post splenectomy infection (OPSI), often fatal within a few hours.
Lack of a spleen, called asplenia, can occur by autosplenectomy or the surgical counterpart, splenectomy. Asplenia can increase susceptibility to infection. [3] Autosplenectomy can occur in cases of sickle-cell disease where the misshapen cells block blood flow to the spleen, causing scarring and eventual atrophy of the organ. [2]
This abscess develops after surgical operations like splenectomy. Presents with cough, increased respiratory rate with shallow respiration, diminished or absent breath sounds, hiccups, dullness in percussion, tenderness over the 8th–11th ribs, fever, chills, anorexia and shoulder tip pain on the affected side.
Overwhelming post-splenectomy infection is associated with encapsulated organisms such as Capnocytophaga canimorsus. [11] Of the cases presented in literature, 33% occurred in asplenic individuals, who have decreased IgM and IgG production. They also have delayed macrophage assembly and produce less tuftsin. [10]
OPSI may stand for: . Overwhelming post-splenectomy infection, rapidly fatal septicaemia in a patient who has undergone splenectomy (removal of the spleen).; Office of Public Sector Information, a UK government body incorporating His Majesty's Stationery Office.
Splenectomy is indicated for moderate to severe cases, but not mild cases. [7] To decrease the risk of sepsis, post-splenectomy spherocytosis patients require immunization against the influenza virus, encapsulated bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae and meningococcus, and prophylactic antibiotic treatment. However, the use of prophylactic ...