[Life-threatening infections after splenectomy--the overwhelming post- splenectomy infection syndrome]

About 2.5% of the patients, on whom splenectomy is done, die later from fulminant bacterial infection. This particular late sequelae usually occurs within 5 years after surgery, however, - especially in adults, - it has been observed also decades after splenectomy. Pneumococci have been identified as infectious agents in about 70% of the cases concerned. This syndrome is caused by deficient clearance of bacteria, which is due to reduced phagocytosis, decreased IgM-production, disturbances of the complement system and lack of tuftsin. Prevention of this syndrome may be achieved by using surgical procedures saving part of the spleen, by appropriate use of antibiotics and by vaccination against pneumococci.