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- Page navigation anchor for RE: Invasive Pneumococcal Infection with HyposplenismRE: Invasive Pneumococcal Infection with Hyposplenism
Yoshimura and Yoon describe lucidly the potentially lethal consequences of community acquired infection in the setting of asplenia. However, they do not highlight measures to identify those individuals who have unrecognized, subclinical hyposplenism: The peripheral blood film (smear) may yield helpful and potentially lifesaving clues: Even in stable, asymptomatic patients there will be evidence of Howell Jolly bodies, acanthocytes, target cells or unexplained thrombocytosis. The finding of these abnormalities should raise the suspicion of hyposplenism, and if confirmed, would trigger the appropriate prophylactic measures such as patient and caregiver education, vaccination, or early antibiotic use.
Competing Interests: None declared.