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Persistent changes in circulating white blood cell populations after splenectomy

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Abstract

The effect of splenectomy on the incidence of infections and thromboembolisms has been investigated thoroughly. Nevertheless, the long-term effects of splenectomy on immunological profile and circulating blood counts have not been described before. To study such long-term effects, we analysed several parameters in splenectomised trauma patients and compared the results of this group (“otherwise healthy patients”) to patients with a specific underlying disease. We measured platelet count, leukocytes and differential, lymphocyte subsets, serum levels of immunoglobulins, and complement pathways in 113 patients. Indications to perform a splenectomy were trauma (n = 42), Hodgkin lymphoma (n = 24), hereditary spherocytosis (n = 21), and immune thrombocytopenia (n = 26). In trauma patients lymphocytes and lymphocytes subsets were particularly elevated compared to normal population values. Splenectomised patients with Hodgkin lymphoma had significant lower numbers of T lymphocytes than trauma patients. Significant increases in platelets, leukocytes, and monocytes were observed in patients with hereditary spherocytosis. Occurrence of MBL genotype was different in ITP patients than in other splenectomised groups and the normal population. In splenectomised patients (> 4 years), platelet counts and lymphocyte subsets are increased which persist over time. As a result, these blood counts in splenectomised patients differ from reference values in the normal population.

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Acknowledgements

We thank all the patients and laboratory personnel.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, St. Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands

    Minke A. E. Rab, Aafke Meerveld-Eggink & Okke de Weerdt

  2. Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, St. Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands

    Heleen van Velzen-Blad & Ger T. Rijkers

  3. Department of Clinical Chemistry and Haematology, St. Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands

    Douwe van Loon

  4. Department of Science, University College Roosevelt, Middelburg, The Netherlands

    Ger T. Rijkers

  5. Department of Internal Medicine and Dermatology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Van Creveldkliniek, Heidelberglaan 100, 3508 GA, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Minke A. E. Rab

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  1. Minke A. E. Rab
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Correspondence to Minke A. E. Rab.

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The study was conducted without any financial or commercial relationships. The authors declare there was no conflict of interest.

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Rab, M.A.E., Meerveld-Eggink, A., van Velzen-Blad, H. et al. Persistent changes in circulating white blood cell populations after splenectomy. Int J Hematol 107, 157–165 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12185-017-2335-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12185-017-2335-9

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