Hyposplenism associating long-term asbestos exposure.

I report a case of functional hyposplenism in a patient with history, and typical radiological findings, of asbestos-related lung disease and presenting with recurrent pneumococcal pneumonia. Functional hyposplenism is not rare and is suspected in cases of recurrent pneumococcal pneumonia and/or sepsis. The two most time-honored diseases associated with hyposplenism are celiac disease and sickle cell anemia. No cases of functional hyposplenism associating pleural and/or parenchymal lung diseases secondary to asbestos exposure have been reported to date. Asbestos bodies were reported in the spleen, and multiple other extra-pulmonary organs, yet their significance remains uncertain. Asbestos exposure may be associated with the development of functional hyposplenism and, subsequently, an increased risk of invasive pneumococcal disease.