Autosplenectomy
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An '''autosplenectomy''' (from'' 'auto-' ''self,'' '-splen-' ''spleen,'' '[[List of -ectomies|-ectomy]]' ''removal) occurs when a [[disease]] damages the [[spleen]] to such an extent that it is non-functioning and so equivalent to the spleen having been surgically removed ([[splenectomy]]) .
==Causes==
This may occur in [[sickle-cell disease]] and [[spherocytosis]] when abnormal [[red blood cell]]s repeatedly block off small blood vessels, causing [[infarction]] of parts of the spleen.
==Consequences==
{{main|Asplenia}}
Absence of effective splenic function ([[asplenia]]) is associated with increased risks of [[overwhelming post splenectomy infection]], especially by encapsulated organisms. Protocols involving [[vaccination]] and [[Prophylaxis|prophylactic]] antibiotics can reduce these risks.
[[Category:Immune system disorders]]
[[Category:Hematology]]
{{immunology-stub}}