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Updated: Jul 18, 2025
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Laparoscopic Splenectomy with Pericardial Devascularization for Hypersplenism and Esophageal Variceal Hemorrhage Due to Portal Hypertension
Published on: November 15, 2024
240
Overwhelming Post-splenectomy Infection Caused by Escherichia coli 20 Years After Splenectomy: A Case Report
Yoshinobu Abe1, Hideya Itagaki1, Tomoyuki Endo1
1Division of Emergency and Disaster Medicine, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Sendai, JPN.
Cureus
|August 21, 2023
Summary
Overwhelming post-splenectomy infection (OPSI) is a rare but fatal complication. This case highlights a fatal OPSI caused by Escherichia coli in a post-splenectomy patient, emphasizing the need for high clinical suspicion.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Post-splenectomy patients face an elevated risk of severe infections, including overwhelming post-splenectomy infection (OPSI).
- OPSI, though uncommon, carries a high mortality rate and is typically associated with encapsulated bacteria.
Observation:
- An 80-year-old male with a history of splenectomy and recent prednisolone use presented with septic shock and purpura fulminans.
- The patient had pyelonephritis caused by *Escherichia coli*, an unusual pathogen for OPSI.
Findings:
- This case demonstrates a fatal OPSI caused by *Escherichia coli*, a non-encapsulated bacterium.
- Splenectomy impairs bacterial clearance, allowing pathogens like *E. coli* to cause acute sepsis.
Implications:
- Physicians must maintain a high index of suspicion for OPSI in post-splenectomy patients, especially those with compromised immunity.
- Educating patients about the risks of severe, potentially fatal infections after splenectomy is crucial for timely intervention.
Keywords:
escherichia colioverwhelming post-splenectomy infectionspurpura fulminansseptic shocksplenectomyMore Related Videos
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