How Does the Spleen Affect Disease Susceptibility?
The spleen's role in filtering blood and producing white blood cells means that it is integral to the body's defense against infections. Individuals without a spleen (asplenic individuals) or with impaired spleen function are more susceptible to infections, particularly from encapsulated bacteria like Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Neisseria meningitidis. Epidemiologists must consider spleen health when assessing the vulnerability of populations to infectious diseases.
