Functional Asplenism

Excerpt

The spleen is the largest lymphoid organ in the body, playing a crucial role in the immune system and fostering the production and maturation of essential components such as immunoglobulin M, B lymphocytes, and opsonins within its confines. One critical function of the spleen is to protect the body against infections from polysaccharide-encapsulated bacteria, such as Streptococcus pneumoniae and other Streptococcal species (eg, Haemophilus influenzae type b, Neisseria meningitidis, Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Klebsiella).

Additionally, the spleen acts as the primary reservoir for platelets and serves as a filter for red blood cells, eliminating damaged or malformed cells from circulation. Further, the spleen facilitates extramedullary hematopoiesis, a process crucial for blood cell production. Functional asplenism, also known as "functional hyposplenism" or "splenic hypofunction," is a medical condition where the spleen is structurally intact but does not function properly. The term "functional asplenia" was coined by Pearson et al in 1969 while studying patients with sickle cell anemia.