Autosplenectomy

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An autosplenectomy occurs when a disease damages the spleen to the point that it becomes shrunken and nonfunctional. The spleen is an important immunological organ that acts as a filter for red blood cells and triggers phagocytosis by resident macrophages [1]. Splenic function can be measured by filtering capabilities, as indicated by number of Howell-Jolly bodies or pitted red blood cells, or by measuring B cell levels for immunological output [2]. Autosplenectomy can occur in cases of sickle cell anemia where the misshapen cells block blood flow to the spleen, causing fibrosis and eventual atrophy [3].

Causes

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Sickle Cell Diseases

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Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

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Systemic lupus erythematosus

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Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) — the most prevalent variety of an autoimmune disorder known as lupus — may also cause autosplenectomy.

Pneumococcal septicemia

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Pneumococcal septicemia, or whole-body infection caused by the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria, has been reported to cause autosplenectomy.[4]

  1. ^ Brousse, Valentine; Buffet, Pierre; Rees, David (2014-07-01). "The spleen and sickle cell disease: the sick(led) spleen". British Journal of Haematology. 166 (2): 165–176. doi:10.1111/bjh.12950. ISSN 1365-2141.
  2. ^ Brousse, Valentine; Buffet, Pierre; Rees, David (2014-07-01). "The spleen and sickle cell disease: the sick(led) spleen". British Journal of Haematology. 166 (2): 165–176. doi:10.1111/bjh.12950. ISSN 1365-2141.
  3. ^ Brousse, Valentine; Buffet, Pierre; Rees, David (2014-07-01). "The spleen and sickle cell disease: the sick(led) spleen". British Journal of Haematology. 166 (2): 165–176. doi:10.1111/bjh.12950. ISSN 1365-2141.
  4. ^ Henry Knipe, Frank Gaillard. "Autosplenectomy". radiopaedia.org. Retrieved 30 December 2015.