A 27-year-old man presents with fever (39.2°C), cough, and dyspnea. Vital signs show BP 118/76, HR 102, RR 22, SpO2 88% on room air. Chest X-ray reveals bilateral infiltrates. Blood cultures grow Histoplasma capsulatum. Laboratory studies show normal neutrophil count and function, but impaired macrophage microbicidal activity against the organism. He denies antiretroviral use. Which cytokine is most important for activating macrophages to kill this intracellular pathogen?

  1. A)IL 5
  2. B)IL 4
  3. C)IFN gammaGABARITO
  4. D)TGF beta
  5. E)IL 10

Explicação

Interferon gamma is the key macrophage activating cytokine in the Th1 response. It enhances phagolysosomal killing and is crucial for defense against intracellular pathogens such as Histoplasma, mycobacteria, and some protozoa. Ver explicação completa e trilha adaptativa →

Fazer o diagnóstico grátis de USMLE