Patients with functional or anatomic asplenia are at a significantly
increased risk of overwhelming infection, particularly involving the
encapsulated bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae.
The risk is highest in infants and young children, but adults also have an
increased risk of infection. Preventive strategies are very important and
fall into three major categories: immunoprophylaxis, antibiotic
prophylaxis and education. Studies have shown that many asplenic patients
are unaware of their increased risk for serious infection and the
appropriate health precautions that should be undertaken. In this article
we emphasise the need for preventive measures in hyposplenic and asplenic
patients. We discuss the value of newly developed conjugate vaccines and
the need for revaccination. Finally we draw up a recommendation for the
preventive management in functional and anatomical asplenic patients