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. 1985 Sep;202(3):323–328. doi: 10.1097/00000658-198509000-00008

The influence of splenic weight and function on survival after experimental pneumococcal infection.

M A Malangoni, L G Dawes, E A Droege, U A Almagro
PMCID: PMC1250907  PMID: 4037905

Abstract

Splenectomy impairs survival after pneumococcal challenge in rats, while preservation of sufficient splenic tissue can be protective. This study investigated the effects of methylcellulose on stimulation of splenic weight, splenic histology, reticuloendothelial (RE) activity, and survival after pneumococcal infection. Methylcellulose increased spleen weight four- to five-fold but did not improve RE function or survival after infection. These parameters correlated best with the weight of the remnant in animals that did not receive methylcellulose. The functional limitations of splenic autotransplants were not corrected by methylcellulose stimulation of splenic weight. Preservation of a splenic remnant with intact blood supply is preferable to autotransplantation of the spleen to conserve RE capability.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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