Editing Autosplenectomy (section)

{{Short description|Loss of function of the spleen}}
An '''autosplenectomy''' (from'' 'auto-' ''self,'' '-splen-' ''spleen,'' '[[List of -ectomies|-ectomy]]' ''removal) is a negative outcome of disease and occurs when a [[disease]] damages the [[spleen]] to such an extent that it becomes shrunken and non-functional.<ref>[http://library.med.utah.edu/WebPath/HEMEHTML/HEME116.html "Autosplenectomy" with sickle cell anemia, gross] at [http://library.med.utah.edu/WebPath/ WebPath], The Internet Pathology Laboratory for Medical Education at Mercer University School of Medicine. Retrieved September 10, 2011</ref> The spleen is an important immunological organ that acts as a filter for [[red blood cell]]s, triggers [[phagocytosis]] of invaders, and mounts an immunological response when necessary.<ref name="Brousse 165–176">{{Cite journal|title = The spleen and sickle cell disease: the sick(led) spleen|journal = British Journal of Haematology|date = 2014-07-01|issn = 1365-2141|pages = 165–176|volume = 166|issue = 2|doi = 10.1111/bjh.12950|language = en|first1 = Valentine|last1 = Brousse|first2 = Pierre|last2 = Buffet|first3 = David|last3 = Rees|pmid=24862308|s2cid = 40448991|doi-access = free}}</ref> Lack of a spleen, called [[asplenia]], can occur by autosplenectomy or the surgical counterpart, [[splenectomy]]. Asplenia can increase susceptibility to infection.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/splenectomy/basics/risks/prc-20014837|title = Splenectomy Risks - Mayo Clinic|website = www.mayoclinic.org|access-date = 2016-03-02}}</ref>  Autosplenectomy can occur in cases of [[sickle-cell disease]] where the misshapen cells block blood flow to the spleen, causing [[fibrosis|scarring]] and eventual [[atrophy]] of the organ.<ref name="Brousse 165–176"/> Autosplenectomy is a rare condition that is linked to certain diseases but is not a common occurrence. It is also seen in [[systemic lupus erythematosus]] (SLE).