The spleen has a pretty significant role when it comes to an organism’s immune system and also red blood cells. The spleen is an organ that can be found in the vast majority of vertebrates. In terms for red blood cells, it is a filter that purifies the blood from microbes and even blood cells that are damaged. In addition, the spleen is also seen to recycle iron. Not only is the spleen important to red blood cells, but it is significant to the immune system as well. It is the main center in the mononuclear phagocyte system of the immune system: “[it produces] the white blood cells that fight infection and synthesize antibodies” (Mandal, 2009). It is clear that without it, an organism is prone to many infection . In terms of the monkey specimens found throughout the novel, their spleens were drastically and shockingly damaged. A normal monkey spleen should be “the size of a walnut… [and soft] as a jelly donut” (Preston 171-72). However, the monkeys found themselves with a spleen the size of a tangerine and sturdy enough to make the scalpel bounce back. The spleens were also found to be leathery and look like a piece of meat (salami). Overall, a spleen should be able to drip a massive amount of blood, but due to inflammation, the monkey spleens found themselves as a huge, solid clot of blood.
Mandal, A. (2009, November 17). Function of the Spleen. Retrieved May 14, 2015, from http://www.news-medical.net/health/What-Does-the-Spleen-Do.aspx Preston, R. (1994). The Hot Zone (p. 422). New York City, New York: Anchor Books.
The pathologists in the novel initially thought that the monkeys were infected with Marburg or Ebola; however, this was not the case. The Monkeys had been infected simian hemorrhagic fever which very lethal and pretty contagious to monkeys, but harmless to humans. The monkeys experienced a series of symptoms similar; but what caused the spleens to inflame was the fact the the simian hemorrhagic fever virus led to thrombocytopenia; this leads to blood clots and eventually spleen enlargement (Thrombocytopenia, 2015). The monkeys had a sort of dry spleen which should have released a large amount of blood; but the virus and its symptoms prevented the monkey from performing its metabolic processes.
Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count). (2015, March 31). Retrieved June 11, 2015, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/thrombocytopenia/basics/definition/con-20027170
In addition, the spleen is located in the upper left quadrant of the abdomen, underneath the diaphragm and right next to the stomach. The spleen contains a very rich blood supply, because it is responsible to filter blood. It is pretty small, normally; it is in the size of a small fist. An enlarged spleen is observed in this specimen, but how did the spleen grow into a huge blood clot? Well, as the spleen grows larger (there are several causes), it starts to filter also the healthy red blood cells, reducing the number of healthy red blood cells in the bloodstream. Not only does is intake healthy red blood cells, it also traps platelets—colorless blood cells that help blood clot. When blood cells and platelets are in the spleen, they can clog the spleen, and the spleen doesn’t function probably anymore, affecting the immune system.
Enlarged spleen (splenomegaly). (n.d.). Retrieved May 18, 2015, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/enlarged-spleen/basics/causes/con-20029324
The spleen has a pretty significant role when it comes to an organism’s immune system and also red blood cells. The spleen is an organ that can be found in the vast majority of vertebrates. In terms for red blood cells, it is a filter that purifies the blood from microbes and even blood cells that are damaged. In addition, the spleen is also seen to recycle iron. Not only is the spleen important to red blood cells, but it is significant to the immune system as well. It is the main center in the mononuclear phagocyte system of the immune system: “[it produces] the white blood cells that fight infection and synthesize antibodies” (Mandal, 2009). It is clear that without it, an organism is prone to many infection . In terms of the monkey specimens found throughout the novel, their spleens were drastically and shockingly damaged. A normal monkey spleen should be “the size of a walnut… [and soft] as a jelly donut” (Preston 171-72). However, the monkeys found themselves with a spleen the size of a tangerine and sturdy enough to make the scalpel bounce back. The spleens were also found to be leathery and look like a piece of meat (salami). Overall, a spleen should be able to drip a massive amount of blood, but due to inflammation, the monkey spleens found themselves as a huge, solid clot of blood.
ReplyDeleteMandal, A. (2009, November 17). Function of the Spleen. Retrieved May 14, 2015, from http://www.news-medical.net/health/What-Does-the-Spleen-Do.aspx
Preston, R. (1994). The Hot Zone (p. 422). New York City, New York: Anchor Books.
Hi Ricardo, what was causing the monkey spleens to be inflamed?
DeleteThe pathologists in the novel initially thought that the monkeys were infected with Marburg or Ebola; however, this was not the case. The Monkeys had been infected simian hemorrhagic fever which very lethal and pretty contagious to monkeys, but harmless to humans. The monkeys experienced a series of symptoms similar; but what caused the spleens to inflame was the fact the the simian hemorrhagic fever virus led to thrombocytopenia; this leads to blood clots and eventually spleen enlargement (Thrombocytopenia, 2015). The monkeys had a sort of dry spleen which should have released a large amount of blood; but the virus and its symptoms prevented the monkey from performing its metabolic processes.
DeleteThrombocytopenia (low platelet count). (2015, March 31). Retrieved June 11, 2015, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/thrombocytopenia/basics/definition/con-20027170
In addition, the spleen is located in the upper left quadrant of the abdomen, underneath the diaphragm and right next to the stomach. The spleen contains a very rich blood supply, because it is responsible to filter blood. It is pretty small, normally; it is in the size of a small fist. An enlarged spleen is observed in this specimen, but how did the spleen grow into a huge blood clot? Well, as the spleen grows larger (there are several causes), it starts to filter also the healthy red blood cells, reducing the number of healthy red blood cells in the bloodstream. Not only does is intake healthy red blood cells, it also traps platelets—colorless blood cells that help blood clot. When blood cells and platelets are in the spleen, they can clog the spleen, and the spleen doesn’t function probably anymore, affecting the immune system.
ReplyDeleteEnlarged spleen (splenomegaly). (n.d.). Retrieved May 18, 2015, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/enlarged-spleen/basics/causes/con-20029324