title: Overwhelming pneumococcaemia 17 years after splenectomy. A case report.
abstract: We present a case of fulminant pneumococcaemia and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy in a young adult man 17 years after splenectomy. The clinical presentation, laboratory and postmortem findings are discussed. The diagnosis, management and prophylaxis of overwhelming infections in splenectomized patients are reviewed. The advent of pneumococcal and other vaccines could contribute significantly to the successful protection of asplenic patients against certain severe infections.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors / Q000032:analysis; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D004211:Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011008:Pneumococcal Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013156:Splenectomy
chemical_list: D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors; D003165:Complement System Proteins