Overwhelming pneumoccoccal sepsis in two patients splenectomised more than ten years previously.
Asplenic individuals are known to be at a higher risk of developing serious and occasionally fatal sepsis. Prophylactic measures are generally recommended for the first few years post-splenectomy. We report two cases of severe Pneumococcal Sepsis occurring more than 10 years post-splenectomy leading to prolonged hospitalisation and long term morbidity and suggest that Prophylactic Penicillin should be taken life-long.
Hassan
I S
IS
Department of Infection and Tropical Medicine, Newcastle General Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne.
Snow
M H
MH
Ong
E L
EL
D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011008:Pneumococcal Infections / Q000209:etiology*; D018805:Sepsis / Q000209:etiology*; D013156:Splenectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013997:Time Factors