<unk>  causes an increased risk of sepsis, particularly overwhelming post-splenectomy sepsis due to encapsulated organisms such as S. pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae which are no longer able to be destroyed. It has been found that the risk of acquiring sepsis is 10 to 20 times higher in a<unk> zed patient compared to a non-splenectomized patient, which can result in death, especially in young children. Therefore, patients are administered the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (Prevnar), Hib vaccine, and the meningococcal vaccine post-operatively (see asplenia). These bacteria often cause a sore throat under normal circumstances but after<unk> , when infecting bacteria cannot be adequately opsonized, the infection becomes more severe. An increase in blood leukocytes can occur following a<unk> . The post-splenectomy platelet count may rise to abnormally high levels (thrombocytosis), leading to an increased risk of potentially fatal clot formation. Mild thrombocytosis may be observed after a<unk>  due to the lack of sequestering and destruction of platelets that would normally be carried out by the spleen. In addition, the<unk>  may result in a slight increase in the production of platelets within the bone marrow. Normally, erythrocytes are stored and removed from the circulating blood by the spleen, including the removal of damaged erythrocytes. However, after a<unk>  the lack of presence of the spleen means this function cannot be carried out so damaged erythrocytes will continue to circulate in the blood and can release substances into the blood. If these damaged erythrocytes have a procoagulant activity then the substances they release can lead to the development of a procoagulant state and this can cause thromboembolic events e.g. pulmonary embolism, portal vein thrombosis and deep vein thrombosis. There also is some conjecture that post-splenectomy patients may be at elevated risk of subsequently developing diabetes.<unk>  may also lead to chronic neutrophilia.<unk>  patients typically have Howell-Jolly bodies and less commonly Heinz bodies in their blood smears. Heinz bodies are usually found in cases of G6PD (Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase) and chronic liver disease. A<unk>  also results in a greatly diminished frequency of memory B cells. A 28-year follow-up of 740 World War II veterans who had their spleens removed on the battlefield showed a significant increase in the usual death from pneumonia (6 deaths rather than the expected 1.74) and an increase in the deaths from ischemic heart disease (41 deaths rather than the expected 30.26) but not from other conditions.
Splenectomy
Autosplenectomy
Thymus transplantation
Spleen transplantation
Peripheral stem cell transplantation
Donor lymphocyte infusion
Autologous blood therapy
Autologous immune enhancement therapy