Immunology Case Study 1 (o 1 9) Dottie Oblonski was doing well in her firstyear

Question

Immunology Case Study 1 (o 1 9) Dottie Oblonski was doing well in her firstyear of university when she developed a cough and diarrhea. She felt very tired an achy and went to bed early in her dormitory room. The next morning she woke early with severe headache, stiff neck and high fever. Her roommate called the ambulance and she was rushed to the hospital. A check of her blood pressure showed that it was very low (70/40). Blood cultures were grown and found to be positive for Neisseria meningitides (meningococcus). The cerebrospinal fluid test was clear of any organisms, but the had a much high number of white blood cells. Her blood white-cell count was determined and had 90% neutrophils and low number of lymphocytes. Intravenous antibiotic therapy was administered and she improved over the next 48 hours. 1. Which of the following events are most likely to occur in the first 8 hours of the medical episode? a. Pathogens are engulfed by macrophages b. Pathogen infected cells are killed by natural killer cells c. T cells are recruited to engulf infect cells d. Both A and B are correct e. Both B and C are correct 2. During the first 8 hours the cytokines produced by phagocytes may lead to systemic effects such as fever a. The above statement is true b. The above statement is incorrect 3. Which other event is most like to occur during this 8-hour period? a. Mass proliferation of T cells b. Mass proliferation of T cells c. Production of antimicrobial peptides d. Rapid generation of antibodies

Explanation / Answer

Intra-venous antibiotic therapy is the best and fastest method to introduce antibiotic into the blood stream. As soon as antibiotic reaches the blood, it reacts with the bacterial antigen.

Please note that natural killer cells are a part of innate immune system; and work against viral infections, so, option (b) is incorrect. So, option (d) and (e) are also incorrect. T-cells are recruited in the first 8 hours. So, option (c) is also incorrect.

The correct answer is option (a).

2. (a)

The statement is true.

Cytokines travel via bloodstream to the brain and give signal to the hypothalamus to release hormones for greater breakdown of fat and protein. This results in rise in body temperature.

3. (c)

In meningococcal infection, the antibiotic should have good penetration into the Cerebro Spinal Fluid. In the CSF, proteins are produced which target the bacteria. So, we can say that production of antimicrobial peptides occurs in CSF during the initial 8 hours.

4. (d)

The heart pumps blood to the entire body. It pumps blood to the brain also. The main logic behind antibiotic treatment in Neisseria meningitides infection is that the antibiotic should be able to cross blood-brain barrier. Heart is the organ which makes this possible, by making the pumping action fast.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse I
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.