[Recurrent pneumococcal meningitis after splenectomy].

We report the case of a female patient with thrombocytopenic purpura Werlhof. Splenectomy was followed by relapsing pneumococcal meningitis. Particularly, repetitive infections were caused by pneumococcus capsula type 13. This type is not included in the common 23-polyvalent vaccine matter. The necessity of splenectomy in autoimmunological diseases should be considered carefully in the individual case. Patients should be well informed of the high risk of infection after splenectomy and should undergo medical treatment immediately.