title: Severe pneumococcal disease and temporary splenic dysfunction.
abstract: We report a patient presenting with pneumonia in whom temporary splenic dysfunction was diagnosed by counting pitted red blood cells. This under-recognised condition caused a transient immunosuppression which may have had serious implications for our patient's recovery.
authors.affiliation: Chelsea and Westminater Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Pelly
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Huo
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Henderson
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Soni
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D004906:Erythrocyte Count; D004913:Erythrocytes, Abnormal; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D011018:Pneumonia, Pneumococcal / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D013154:Spleen / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase