Overwhelming post-splenectomy infection

The spleen contains many macrophages (part of the reticuloendothelial system), which are immune cells that phagocytose (eat) and destroy bacteria. In particular, these macrophages are activated when bacteria are bound by IgG antibodies (IgG1 or IgG3) or the complement component C3b. These types of antibodies and complement are immune substances called opsonizers, molecules that bind to the surface of bacteria to facilitate phagocytosis.

When the spleen is no longer present (asplenia), IgG and C3b are still bound to bacteria, but they cannot be removed from the blood circulation due to the loss of the splenic macrophages. Hence the bacteria are free to cause infection.

Patients without a spleen often need immunizations against pathogens that normally require opsonization and phagocytosis by macrophages in the spleen. These include common human pathogens with bacterial capsules (Streptococcus pneumoniae, Salmonella typhi, Neisseria meningitidis, E. coli, Hemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus agalactiae, Klebsiella pneumoniae). Capsules made of polysaccharides (sugars) permit bacteria to evade phagocytosis by macrophages alone, since only proteins are directly recognized by macrophages in phagocytosis. So humoral immunity in forms of IgG and complement proteins is the human immune system's response against bacterial capsules.

The risk of OPSI is 0.23–0.42 percent per year, with a lifetime risk of 5 percent.[8] Most infections occur in the first few years following splenectomy, but the risk of OPSI is lifelong.[2][9] OPSI is almost always fatal without treatment, and modern treatment has decreased the mortality to approximately 40–70 percent.[2][10] Individuals with OPSI are most commonly treated with antibiotics and supportive care.[8] Measures to prevent OPSI include vaccination and prophylactic antibiotics.[8][11][12]