Abstract

Splenic function was assessed in 42 patients with alcoholic liver disease by counting the percentage of erythrocytes with indentations or pits, seen by differential interference contrast microscopy. These pits represent cellular debris normally removed by the spleen. The findings were compared with 42 age and sex matched controls. Mean (SEM) pitted red cell counts in the patients was 2.7 (0.4)% and in the controls 0.7 (0.07)% (p < 0.001). In all of the eight reformed drinkers (five with biopsy proven cirrhosis), cell counts were normal. Six patients with alcoholic liver disease had had serious infections within the past year. Of these, one had had a recent pneumococcal pneumonia and another of the patients died from overwhelming pneumococcal septicaemia. Both of these patients had evidence of functional hyposplenism as judged by high pitted erythrocyte counts. A total of 18 patients were considered to have pitted red cell counts above the normal, and 11 of these had proven cirrhosis and/or gross ascites. This study is the first to show the presence of functional hyposplenism in alcoholic liver disease and provides further evidence of the predisposition that these patients have to infection. At present, it is unclear whether the hyposplenism is a direct toxic effect of alcohol or the result of cirrhosis; further studies are warranted.