A 58 year old man with a history of splenectomy after trauma presents with fever, productive cough, and pleuritic chest pain. Temperature is 39 C (102.2 F). Chest radiograph shows right lower lobe consolidation. Blood cultures grow alpha hemolytic gram positive diplococci that are optochin sensitive and bile soluble. Which of the following best explains this patient’s increased susceptibility to severe infection with this organism?
- A)Reduced T cell mediated macrophage activation
- B)Loss of mucosal IgA secretion
- C)Decreased interferon gamma production by NK cells
- D)Defective neutrophil oxidative burst
- E)Impaired clearance of opsonized encapsulated bacteriaGABARITO
Explicação
Impaired clearance of opsonized encapsulated bacteria is correct. Streptococcus pneumoniae is a polysaccharide encapsulated organism that is cleared by splenic macrophages after opsonization, so asplenic patients are at high risk for fulminant sepsis. The orga... Ver explicação completa e trilha adaptativa →