2 research outputs found
Autotransplant of spleen tissue in children with schistosomiasis: evaluation of splenic function after splenosis
Autotransplant of Spleen Tissue in Children with Schistosomiasis: Evaluation of Splenic Function after Splenosis
Autotransplantation of spleen tissue has been done, in the past ten
years, in children with schistosomiasis mansoni with bleeding varices.
The purposes of this investigation were: (1) to study the morphology
and function of the remnant spleen tissue; (2) to quantify the
production of tuftsin; and (3) to assess the immune response to
pneomococcal vaccine of these patients. Twenty three children, who
underwent splenectomy and autologous implantation of spleen tissue into
the greater omentum were included in this investigation. The average
postoperative follow-up is five years. Splenosis was proved by colloid
liver-spleen scans. Search for Howell-Jolly bodies assessed the
filtration function. Tuftsin and the titer of pneumococcal antibodies
were quantified by ELISA. Splenosis was evident in all children;
however, it was insufficient in two. Howell-Jolly bodies were found
only in these two patients. The mean tuftsin serum concentration (335.0
± 29.8 ng/ml) was inside the normal range. The immune response to
pneumococcal vaccination was adequate in 15 patients; intermediate in
four; and inadequate in four. From the results the following
conclusions can be drawn: splenosis was efficient in maintaining the
filtration splenic function in more than 90% and produced tuftsin
inside the range of normality. It also provided the immunologic splenic
response to pneumococcal vaccination in 65% of the patients of this
series