Autoantibodies in splenectomized patients as a consequence of abdominal trauma

The presence of autoantibodies was examined in 100 adult patients splenectomized because of abdominal trauma and without systemic disease, and the results were compared with those observed in a healthy control group. Thirty-seven percent of the patients studied presented some type of autoantibody. Those observed were antinuclear, anti-smooth muscle and, in 1 case, anti-reticulin. Patients with antinuclear antibodies have no antibodies against native DNA, but in 5 cases, anti-Ro (SS-A) and anti-La (SS-B) antibodies were observed. Rheumatoid factors were also found, but their incidence was similar in patients and controls. The incidence of autoantibodies proved not to be related to either the period of time since splenectomy or to age of the patient; they were observed in patients many years after splenectomy and in individuals of both sexes and all ages. Although the presence of autoantibodies seemed to have no effect on our patients, all of whom were asymptomatic, it is important to be aware of this phenomenon when evaluating the laboratory results obtained from splenectomized patients.