Splenectomy in hereditary spherocytosis: effect on course of relapsing vivax malaria.

A patient with hereditary spherocytosis developed severe anemia associated with a vivax malaria infection. Following recovery, splenectomy was performed and five months later a relapse of vivax malaria occurred. In contrast to the initial episode, anemia did not develop during the course of the relapse. The removal of the spleen which was the site of destruction of the highly vulnerable red blood cells appears to account for the different clinical pictures. This case points up the increased danger of malaria in unsplenectomized individuals with hereditary spherocytosis.

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