Overwhelming post-splenectomy infection

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Overwhelming post-splenectomy infection or OPSI is a rapidly fatal septicaemia infection due to the absence of spleen (asplenia) protection against certain bacteria.

Patients with absent (eg splenectomy) or non-functional spleens can die of these uncommon infections in a few hours. Prevention with vaccinations and antibiotics can largely prevent OPSI - see asplenia for details.

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