The protective effect of pneumococcal vaccination following partial splenectomy.
Weanling CD-1 male rats were subjected to 100, 75, and 50% splenectomy. One week following splenectomy, animals received either a sham immunization with 0.1 ml NS or pneumococcal immunization with 0.1 ml of a polyvalent (23) vaccine. Eight weeks following surgery, all animals received an intraperitoneal inoculation with 10(6) Streptococcus pneumoniae Type 3 organisms and were observed for mortality. Significant differences in mortality were seen between sham and immunized animals undergoing 100 or 75% splenectomy, while in the 50% group a difference was noted which did not reach statistical significance (Mantel-Cox log rank test). Patients undergoing greater than 50% splenectomy may be afforded greater protection against overwhelming pneumococcal infections by immunization with pneumococcal vaccine.
Powell
R W
RW
Department of Surgery, University of South Alabama, College of Medicine, Mobile 36617.
Blaylock
W E
WE
Hoff
C J
CJ
Chartrand
S A
SA
D000818:Animals; D011008:Pneumococcal Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013156:Splenectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods / Q000401:mortality; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000276:immunology*; D014611:Vaccination