ASPLENISM AND SYSTEMIC LUPUS-ERYTHEMATOSUS

Although functional hyposplenism, secondary to Fc-receptor blockage by circulating immune complexes saturation, has been described in system ic lupus erythematosus (SLE), only few cases of complete asplenism hav e been reported. We observed a 60-year-old woman with congenital asple nism who presented with active SLE. The course and the clinical charac teristics of such patients are reviewed and the relationship between t he asplenic state and initiation and severity of SLE are discussed. Th ese patients are at high risk for fatal pneumococcemia and pneumococca l vaccine is recommended even if long term results are still conflicti ng.