Autosplenectomy
editAn 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
editSickle Cell Diseases
editSystemic Lupus Erythematosus
editSystemic lupus erythematosus
editSystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) — the most prevalent variety of an autoimmune disorder known as lupus — may also cause autosplenectomy.
Pneumococcal septicemia
editPneumococcal septicemia, or whole-body infection caused by the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria, has been reported to cause autosplenectomy.[4]
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Henry Knipe, Frank Gaillard. "Autosplenectomy". radiopaedia.org. Retrieved 30 December 2015.