Fever and Jaundice in a Post-Splenectomy Patient: Overwhelming Post-Splenectomy Infection (OPSI) Unveiled

Abstract

In the context of OPSI, vaccination must not be mistaken for absolute protection but should instead be regarded as a preventive strategy—one inherently susceptible to failure, particularly due to serotype mismatch, wherein current vaccines do not encompass all pathogenic strains such as certain serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae. This assertion is exemplified by the present case report, which describes a 42-year-old Saudi male, fully vaccinated, who presented with new-onset fever, jaundice, and multi-organ dysfunction—eight years following a splenectomy performed after a motor vehicle accident resulting in traumatic splenic rupture. The patient was successfully managed through prompt resuscitation, hemodynamic support, and intravenous antibiotic therapy, underscoring the life-saving potential of early recognition and immediate intervention in cases of OPSI. This case reinforces the sobering reality that, even with appropriate treatment, OPSI carries significant mortality—and that timely clinical suspicion remains the most critical determinant of survival.