Encapsulated Organisms — Asplenic Risk

Mnemonic: Some Killers Have Pretty Nice Capsules • Streptococcus pneumoniae • Klebsiella pneumoniae • Haemophilus influenzae type b • Pseudomonas aeruginosa • Neisseria meningitidis • Cryptococcus neoformans Clinical: asplenic + functional asplenia (sickle cell) patients are at high risk for fulminant infection. Vaccination protocol post-splenectomy: • Pneumococcal (PCV13 + PPSV23) • Meningococcal • Hib • Annual flu shot • Lifelong daily prophylactic penicillin in some cases Encapsulated organisms evade phagocytosis — opsonisation (C3b, IgG) is needed before macrophages can engulf them.