title: Autosplenectomy Causing Catastrophic Pneumococcal Meningitis in a Patient with Lupus/Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome.
abstract: We present the case ofa26-year-old female who presented to the hospital with pneumococcal meningitis. A review of her records showed atrophic spleen, and a hypercoagulable workup was positive for Systemic Lupus Erythematous (SLE)/Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome (APS). An autosplenectomy from thrombotic occlusion of the splenic artery made her susceptible to pneumococcal meningitis. Autoimmune conditions, particularly SLE and APS, are important causes of hypercoagulable states in a young population, and earlier detection of these conditions and appropriate treatment helps to decrease morbidity and mortality among these patients.
authors.forename: Khushboo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sheth
authors.forename: Aaron
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Snyder
authors.forename: Ulysses
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Bimalin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lahiri
authors.forename: Prashant
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Grover
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016736:Antiphospholipid Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008586:Meningitis, Pneumococcal / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000379:methods; D013129:Spinal Puncture / Q000379:methods; D013159:Splenic Infarction / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D019851:Thrombophilia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents