What is a consequence of splenectomy related to infection?

The consequence of splenectomy that relates to infection is primarily the impaired antibody-mediated opsonization. The spleen plays a crucial role in the immune response, particularly in the clearance of encapsulated bacteria. It produces antibodies and is involved in the opsonization process, where antibodies coat pathogens to facilitate their recognition and destruction by phagocytes, such as macrophages and neutrophils.

After splenectomy, there is a deficiency in the production of certain antibodies, particularly immunoglobulin M (IgM), which is important for targeting encapsulated organisms. This leads to reduced opsonization of these pathogens, resulting in a higher susceptibility to infections caused by encapsulated bacteria (e.g., Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b).

The other responses reflect important aspects of immunology, but they do not directly capture the consequence of splenectomy as accurately as the impact on antibody-mediated opsonization. For instance, while there may be increased vulnerability to certain types of infections, none of the responses precisely address the significance of opsonization that is lost after splenectomy, making this a critical point in understanding the risks associated with the procedure.