Abstract
Two patients with reversible functional asplenia secondary to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) manifesting as pneumococcal bacteremia are presented. An 11-year-old girl with SLE presented with high fever, vomiting and knee pain. Subsequently she was found to have bacteremia with streptococcus pneumoniae. Howell-Jolly bodies were seen on a peripheral blood smear. A liver spleen scan after treatment was normal. She was treated with intravenous antibiotics with resolution of her symptoms. A 15-year-old girl developed left earache, headache, fever, neck pain, and cervical lymphadenopathy. She was found to have pneumococcal bacteremia and meningitis. Serologic studies confirmed a diagnosis of SLE. A liver spleen scan with sulphur colloid failed to visualize a functioning spleen. She was treated with intravenous antibiotics with good clinical response. Reversible functional asplenia is a manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus which can lead to bacteremia especially with encapsulated organisms. The possible pathogenesis of this complication is reviewed.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 29-31 |
| Number of pages | 3 |
| Journal | Children's Hospital Quarterly |
| Volume | 6 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| State | Published - 1994 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- bacteremia
- functional asplenia
- systemic lupus erythematosus
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health