Intraperitoneal splenic autotransplantation. Protection afforded in a naturally occurring epidemic of murine mycoplasmosis.

Intraperitoneal splenic autotransplantation is now a clinical reality. However, doubts remains as to complications that might develop when splenic tissue is placed in this site. We assessed the ability of an extraperitoneal (subcutaneous) site of autotransplantation to provide protection similar to that previously demonstrated by intraperitoneal splenic reimplantation. These effects were studied during a naturally occurring epidemic of murine respiratory mycoplasmosis. Intraperitoneal splenic transplants but not subcutaneous implants improved chances for survival during this infectious epidemic. The results suggest that a subcutaneous site for splenic autotransplantation is not clinically applicable.