Immunorestorative effects of reimplanted splenic tissue and splenosis.
Different immune functions were analysed in detail in 41 patients who had been splenectomized after a traumatic rupture of the spleen within four years after surgical intervention. Patients were assigned to one of the following groups as judged by liver/spleen scintigraphy: (1) patients with reimplanted splenic tissue, (2) patients with splenosis, and (3) patients without splenic tissue. Leukocytosis and an increased number of total lymphocytes as well as B-cells were observed in patients of all groups. In addition, the number of circulating T-suppressor cells was significantly increased in patients with no detectable splenic tissue. In contrast, serum concentrations of immunoglobulins and complement components were in the normal range; similarly, phagocytosis-associated functions of the patients' neutrophils and monocytes were found to be unimpaired (chemiluminescence and particle uptake). However, in all groups of splenectomized patients a deficiency in specific serum opsonic activity against a strain of Escherichia coli (O:102, H:6) could be detected. We conclude that neither splenosis nor autologous reimplantation of splenic tissue restores opsonic deficiency caused by splenectomy.
Lüdtke
F E
FE
Department of General Surgery, University of Goettingen, West Germany.
Schuff-Werner
P
P
Lion
K A
KA
Speer
C P
CP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000032:analysis; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000276:immunology; D010587:Phagocytosis; D012092:Replantation; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology / Q000601:surgery*; D013156:Splenectomy
D007136:Immunoglobulins