Infections in splenectomized patients. A study of 131 patients.

A retrospective study on infections was done on 131 patients (predominately adults) undergoing splenectomy with a median follow-up to 11 months. 43 patients died, and 23 of them were infected. Three succumbed primarily from their infection; in 9 the infection was a contributing factor; and 11 died primarily from their underlying disease with an associated infection. 64 patients had lymphoreticular malignancies, 53 had a nonmalignant condition and 14 had carcinomas. Infection rates were 42%, 42%, and 21% respectively. Bacteremia rates (all in adults) were were 5%, 4%, and 7% respectively. Over four-fifths of the infections were hospital acquired. 12 of 14 community onset infections occurred in patients with lymphoreticular malignancies.