Autosplenectomy 1217188 213664775 2008-05-20T09:05:02Z Cyclonenim 1572590 [[WP:AWB/T|Typo fixing]] using [[Project:AutoWikiBrowser|AWB]] 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}}