[Comparative study of the protective role of the vaccine against Haemophilus influenzae type b and partial splenectomy in an experimental model].
BACKGROUND
Although the vaccine against Haemophilus influenzae type b has demonstrated its efficacy in children, this bacteria continues to be a cause or overwhelming sepsis in splenetomized patients.


METHODS
To compare the degree of protection provided by partial splenectomy and the conjugated diptheria toxoid vaccine against H. influenzae type b, the bacteremia generated 24, 48 and 96 hours after intravenous inoculation with this bacteria at concentrations of 5 x 10(14), 5 x 10(13) and 5 x 10(12) colony-forming units was assessed in rats subjected to total splenectomy, with and without previous vaccination, to partial splenectomy or to sham operation.


RESULTS
With respect to both the proportion of positive blood cultures and the concentration of H. influenzae in the blood stream, the sham-operated control rats and those vaccinated prior to splenectomy presented similar behaviors; the widest differences with respect to the latter two groups were found in the nonvaccinated total splenectomy rats, and the results with the partial splenectomy group fell between these two extremes.


CONCLUSIONS
The protection of H. influenzae type b vaccine against infection is equivalent to that provided by the intact spleen for inoculum concentrations of 5 x 10(13) colony-forming units and less. Thus, the possibility of its systematic use in asplenic patients should be considered. The protection provided by the remnant spleen following 50% splenectomy is intermediate between those observed with eusplenia and with asplenia. These results suggest that when partial splenectomy is to be performed in normal spleen, the attempt should be made to conserve as much of the organ as possible.
Pérez Maestu
R
R
Servicios de Medicina Interna, Clínica Puerta de Hierro, Madrid.
Daza Pérez
R M
RM
Alvarez Ayuso
L
L
D000818:Animals; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D006192:Haemophilus Infections / Q000628:therapy*; D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae / Q000276:immunology; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D016233:Immunotherapy, Active; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013156:Splenectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods
D018073:Haemophilus Vaccines
Estudio comparativo del papel protector de la vacuna frente a Haemophilus influenzae tipo b y de la esplenectomía parcial en un modelo experimental.