After splenectomy, most common infection is
**Core Concept**
The spleen plays a crucial role in filtering the blood, storing red blood cells, and housing immune cells. After splenectomy, patients are at an increased risk of infections, particularly those caused by encapsulated bacteria.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The most common infection after splenectomy is pneumococcal sepsis, caused by *Streptococcus pneumoniae*. This is because the spleen helps filter out encapsulated bacteria, such as pneumococcus, from the bloodstream. Without a functioning spleen, patients are more susceptible to infections with these bacteria. The increased risk of infection is due to the inability of the body to effectively clear encapsulated bacteria from the circulation.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
* **Option A:** While *Staphylococcus aureus* can cause infections, it is not the most common infection after splenectomy.
* **Option B:** *Haemophilus influenzae* type b is also an encapsulated bacterium, but pneumococcal sepsis is more common after splenectomy.
* **Option C:** While viral infections can occur after splenectomy, pneumococcal sepsis is the most common bacterial infection in this context.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Patients who have undergone splenectomy should receive pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) and pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV) to reduce their risk of pneumococcal infections.
**Correct Answer:** B. *Haemophilus influenzae* type b is also an encapsulated bacterium, but pneumococcal sepsis is more common after splenectomy.