[Overwhelming postsplenectomy infection syndrome]

Anaesthesist. 2014 Mar;63(3):225-30. doi: 10.1007/s00101-014-2297-8. Epub 2014 Feb 27.
[Article in German]

Abstract

The overwhelming postsplenectomy infection syndrome (OPSI) is a fulminant sepsis that is mainly caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae and is characterized by a particular high mortality. Patients whose spleen was removed due to a hematological disease are at special risk. Even after the recommended immunization against Streptococcus pneumoniae 20-30 % of these patients do not develop an adequate level of antibody response. Therefore, this particular group of patients must be trained how to behave in case of fever and need to obtain immediate specific sepsis therapy with antibiotic prophylaxis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antibiotic Prophylaxis
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / immunology
  • Blood Cell Count
  • Blood Chemical Analysis
  • Blood Coagulation Disorders / etiology
  • Blood Coagulation Disorders / therapy
  • Blood Transfusion
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Heart-Assist Devices
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Palliative Care
  • Pneumococcal Infections / etiology
  • Pneumococcal Infections / therapy*
  • Postoperative Complications / diagnosis
  • Postoperative Complications / therapy*
  • Risk
  • Splenectomy / adverse effects*
  • Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome / etiology*
  • Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome / therapy*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Antibodies, Bacterial