Guidelines for the prevention of sepsis in asplenic and hyposplenic patients

  1. D. Spelman*,
  2. J Buttery,
  3. A. Daley,
  4. D. Isaacs,
  5. I. Jennens,
  6. A. Kakakios,
  7. R. Lawrence,
  8. S. Roberts,
  9. A. Torda,
  10. D. A. R. Watson,
  11. I. Woolley,
  12. T. Anderson,
  13. A. Street

Article first published online: 14 FEB 2008

DOI: 10.1111/j.1445-5994.2007.01579.x

Issue

Internal Medicine Journal

Internal Medicine Journal

Volume 38, Issue 5, pages 349–356, May 2008

Additional Information

How to Cite

Spelman, D., Buttery, J., Daley, A., Isaacs, D., Jennens, I., Kakakios, A., Lawrence, R., Roberts, S., Torda, A., Watson, D. A. R., Woolley, I., Anderson, T. and Street, A. (2008), Guidelines for the prevention of sepsis in asplenic and hyposplenic patients. Internal Medicine Journal, 38: 349–356. doi: 10.1111/j.1445-5994.2007.01579.x

Author Information

  1. 1 Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, 11Infectious Diseases Unit and 14Haematology Unit, Alfred Hospital, 2Infectious Diseases Unit, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, 3Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Royal Children’s Hospital6Infectious Diseases Unit, Royal Melbourne Hospital, and 12Infectious Diseases Unit, Monash Medical Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, 4University of Sydney, 5Children’s Hospital, 7Sydney Adventist Hospital and 9Infectious Diseases Unit, University of NSW, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, 10Infectious Diseases Unit, Canberra Hospital, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory and 13Department of lnfectious Diseases and Microbiology, Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia and 8Department of Microbiology, Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand

*Denis Spelman, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Alfred Hospital, Commercial Road, Melbourne, Vic 3004, Australia. Email: d.spelman@alfred.org.au

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 14 FEB 2008
  2. Article first published online: 14 FEB 2008
  3. Received 13 June 2007; accepted 18 October 2007

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Keywords:

  • asplenia;
  • hyposplenia;
  • spleen;
  • immunization;
  • antibiotics

Abstract

Asplenic or hyposplenic patients are at risk of fulminant sepsis. This entity has a mortality of up to 50%. The spectrum of causative organisms is evolving as are recommended preventive strategies, which include education, prophylactic and standby antibiotics, preventive immunizations, optimal antimalarial advice when visiting endemic countries and early management of animal bites. However, there is evidence that adherence to these strategies is poor. Consensus-updated guidelines have been developed to help Australian and New Zealand clinicians and patients in the prevention of sepsis in asplenic and hyposplenic patients.

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