Table 4

Details of seven OPSI cases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, which might represent possible vaccine failure

CaseCause of splenectomyAge at time of OPSITime interval between vaccination and OPSIPneumococcal serotypePatient taking antibiotic prophylaxis at time of OPSIFatal episode
*On penicillin 250 mg twice daily, with infecting pneumococcal strain sensitive to penicillin.
†On erythromycin 500 mg daily, with infecting pneumococcal strain resistant to erythromycin.
OPSI, overwhelming postsplectomy infection.
17Accidental damage at surgery475 years12FNoYes
22Hodgkin's disease3215 months22FYes*Yes
33Haemolytic anaemia332 months23FNoNo
35Non-Hodgkins lymphoma522 years6BYes†No
53Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura338 months9VNoNo
67Accidental damage at surgery6318 months7FNoNo
77Unspecified lymphoproliferative haematological disorder354 years20NoYes