User:Immcarle20/sandbox

= Autosplenectomy = An autosplenectomy occurs when a disease damages the spleen to the point that it becomes shrunken and nonfunctional. The spleen is an important immunological organ that acts as a filter for red blood cells and triggers phagocytosis by resident macrophages. Splenic function can be measured by filtering capabilities, as indicated by number of Howell-Jolly bodies or pitted red blood cells, or by measuring B cell levels for immunological output. Autosplenectomy can occur in cases of sickle cell anemia where the misshapen cells block blood flow to the spleen, causing fibrosis and eventual atrophy.

Systemic lupus erythematosus
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) &#x2014; the most prevalent variety of an autoimmune disorder known as lupus &#x2014; may also cause autosplenectomy.

Pneumococcal septicemia
Pneumococcal septicemia, or whole-body infection caused by the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria, has been reported to cause autosplenectomy.