title: [Fulminant pneumococcal septicaemia in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus and functional asplenia].
abstract: Autosplenectomy is a rare phenomenon in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We present a case of pneumococcal septicaemia in an SLE patient. A CT-scan of the abdomen showed complete autosplenectomy, but a CT scan from years prior showed a normal size spleen. SLE patients have an increased risk of invasive pneumococcal disease and asplenia increases this risk. In Denmark there are no guidelines for vaccination of SLE patients. On the basis of this case report and the guidelines from European League Against Rheumatism we propose that the 23-polyvalent pneumococcal vaccine should be part of the standard regime in the management of SLE.
authors.affiliation: Odinsvej 1 A, 8230 Aabyhøj. E-mail: atroldborg@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Troldborg
authors.forename: Bent
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Deleuran
authors.forename: Merete
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Storgaard
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications; D011008:Pneumococcal Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology; D018805:Sepsis / Q000150:complications*; D013158:Splenic Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed