[Immunologic risks in patients after splenectomy]

The more frequent incidence of infections after splenectomy, some leading even to OPSI syndrome, is known from the literature and practice. The authors investigated in two groups of 20 splenectomized patients (on account of injury of the spleen or for haematological reasons) in particular changes of immunological indicators. On both groups they revealed a predominating increase of the absolute number of leucocytes, lymphocytes, the phagocytic index of PMN leucocytes, the ratio of active nucleoli, FW. They found also in both groups a predominating reduction of the number of T lymphocytes (p less than 0.05), with a high probability also NK cells, and a reduction of the late type reactivity of the skin test (Immunoskin test USOL, Praha). In patients splenectomized on account of injury the number of B lymphocytes was raised in 50% of the patients. In both groups of patients IgG serum levels were elevated, alpha-1-antitrypsin and haptaglobin levels were reduced. The CRP level in patients with haematological diagnoses was elevated as compared with the group of patients splenectomized on account of injury (p less than 0.05). In both groups after splenectomy a greater susceptibility to respiratory infections was found. On examination patients with a greater risk were detected and included under dispensary care.