title: [Splenectomy and infection in homozygous beta-thalassemia. The uselessness of penicillin prophylaxis].
abstract: To investigate the effective usefulness of penicillin prophylaxis in splenectomized patients, we retrospectively focused on a group of sixty-two splenectomized patients affected by thalassemia major. Thirty-six out of 62 has been receiving monthly 1.200.000 Us. of benzathine-penicillin as prophylaxis. The remaining 26 did not receive prophylaxis, but was treated with antibacterial drugs as soon as symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection occurred. During a total period of eleven years of observation we did not observe any pneumococcal sepsis; the incidence of bacterial infections within the two groups is not different. We conclude for the uselessness of penicillin prophylaxis in splenectomized beta-thalassemic patients.
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control; D007239:Infections / Q000209:etiology; D010400:Penicillin G / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010401:Penicillin G Benzathine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013156:Splenectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D013789:Thalassemia / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D010400:Penicillin G; D010401:Penicillin G Benzathine
vernacular_title: Splenectomia ed infezioni nella beta-talassemia omozigote. Inutilità della profilassi penicillinica.