Abstract

CARRILLO ESPER, Raúl et al. Overwhelming postsplenectomy infection (OPSI) syndrome secondary to meningococcemia. Rev. Fac. Med. (Méx.) [online]. 2014, vol.57, n.2, pp.31-41. ISSN 2448-4865.

Patients with splenectomy or splenic dysfunction are likely to suffer from severe infections and sepsis. This syndrome is called overwhelming postsplenectomy infection (OPSI). We present the case of an adult who developed OPSI syndrome secondary to Neisseria meningitidis serogroup CR 7, ten years after being splenectomized due to idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. OPSI syndrome has a high mortality. Its course is fulminating, the clinical symptoms are serious and the prognosis is poor. It is important for splenectomized patients to receive immunizations, antibiotic prophylaxis and seek medical attention at the earliest sign of minor infection. Public health politics should be implemented for the development of guidelines related to the monitoring of splenecto-mized patients and prophylaxis, diagnosis and treatment of OPSI syndrome and make reliable information on this disease available to patients and physicians.

Keywords : Splenectomy; splenic dysfunction; overwhelming postsplenectomy infection.

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