Splenic hypofunction in cirrhosis is not associated with increased risk for infections

Pitted cell count has been described as a sensitive marker of splenic function. Recently, pitted cell count was shown to be increased in patients with alcoholic liver disease, and also to be associated with an increased susceptibility to infection. Therefore, our aim in the present study was to assess splenic function in a group of patients with cirrhosis and to determine its possible role in the development of infections.

Splenic function was assessed during hospitalization in 44 patients diagnosed as having cirrhosis, and was compared to 18 healthy subjects. Function was evaluated by counting the number of pitted cells in peripheral blood films. Results were the mean value of two independent counts and were expressed as number of pitted cells/100 erythrocytes.

The mean percentage of pitted cells in peripheral blood of cirrhotic patients was significantly greater than that assessed in controls (3.5 +/- 3.7% vs. 1.6 +/- 0.9%, P < 0.01, Mann-Whitney U test). Eighteen patients with cirrhosis (36%) had counts greater than 3.4% (mean + 2 SD of the control group). There were no significant differences between patients with counts above or below 3.4% in terms of liver tests, platelet and reticulocyte counts, the presence of complications, Child-Pugh score and the prevalence of infections. There was no difference in pitted cell count between alcoholic and non-alcoholic cirrhotic patients (3.8 +/- 3.4% vs. 3.1 +/- 2.8% respectively, P, NS). Moreover, the mortality rate and the occurrence of infections were similar in patients with normal and increased pitted cell counts during 1-year follow-up.

The increased number of pitted cells in patients with cirrhosis is not related to heptic function and does not represent a risk factor for infections.