A 19-year-old male college student presents to the emergency department with a 12-hour history of fever (39.4°C), severe headache, and photophobia. On examination, he has a petechial rash on his trunk and lower extremities, nuchal rigidity, and altered mental status. Vital signs show HR 128/min, RR 24/min, BP 94/62 mmHg, and SpO2 92% on room air. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis reveals: WBC 450/µL (90% neutrophils), protein 210 mg/dL, glucose 18 mg/dL (serum glucose 98 mg/dL), and Gram stain shows gram-negative diplococci. The patient is otherwise healthy with no history of recent infections or antibiotic use. Which of the following best explains why individuals with deficiency in a particular complement component are at highest risk for disseminated infection with this organism?

1. A)Deficiency of C1q prevents lectin pathway activation and opsonization of the capsule
2. B)Deficiency of C3 prevents both classical and alternative pathway amplification, eliminating opsonization and MAC formationGABARITO
3. C)Deficiency of C5a impairs chemotaxis of neutrophils to the site of infection
4. D)Deficiency of Factor H allows uncontrolled alternative pathway activation leading to complement exhaustion
5. E)Deficiency of properdin prevents alternative pathway activation exclusively