Biomaterial Database

Postsplenectomy sepsis. 1989

J H Shaw, and C G Print

University Department of Surgery, Auckland Hospital, New Zealand.

This review examines the infectious consequences of elective and emergency splenectomy, highlighting the importance of infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae. The influence of splenectomy on the immune system is discussed and the efficacy of vaccines in preventing postsplenectomy sepsis is reviewed. The value of alternative methods of preventing postsplenectomy sepsis is considered.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007239	Infections	Invasion of the host organism by microorganisms or their toxins or by parasites that can cause pathological conditions or diseases.	Infection,Infection and Infestation,Infections and Infestations,Infestation and Infection,Infestations and Infections
D011183	Postoperative Complications	Pathologic processes that affect patients after a surgical procedure. They may or may not be related to the disease for which the surgery was done, and they may or may not be direct results of the surgery.	Complication, Postoperative,Complications, Postoperative,Postoperative Complication
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D013156	Splenectomy	Surgical procedure involving either partial or entire removal of the spleen.	Splenectomies
D014611	Vaccination	Administration of vaccines to stimulate the host's immune response. This includes any preparation intended for active immunological prophylaxis.	Immunization, Active,Active Immunization,Active Immunizations,Immunizations, Active,Vaccinations
D017053	Infection Control	Programs of disease surveillance, generally within health care facilities, designed to investigate, prevent, and control the spread of infections and their causative microorganisms.	Control, Infection