Question
Is the patient at risk for increased viral infections? Explain.
A 5-year-old girl was admitted to the hospital with a tender mass in the right upper quadrant of her abdomen, along with severe dyspnea, a persistent cough, and chest and abdominal pain She had a history of several bouts of pneumonia, starting at momths Chest X-ravs showed cloudy spots consistent with a lung infection. Sonography rerealed a liver abscess. The abscess was drained and a sample was cultured and examined by microscopy (seephoto). Note: the photo may look fuzzy when printed; be sure to look at the online version ] Blood tests revealed a white blood cell cmmt nf 12.1 × 109L (nonnal is 4-11 × 10,L). The ratio of neutrophils to lymphocytes was approximately 3:2 The serum IgG level was 16.5 mgmL, IgM was 2.5 mgmL, and IgA was 1.75 mgmL A sample of the patient's white blood cells was mixed with the fluorescent cye diavdrorhadamine (DHR) and with PNMA, asubstance that nonspecifically stimulates neutrophils (mimicking the response that occurs when a neutrophil encounters a pathogen). IfH.O, is produced in response to stimulation, DHR fluorescence increases. The white blood cells were analyzed before (Testing) and after the PMA stimulation Cell counts (number of cells) is plotted against DHR Auorescence for mhite blood cells obtained from a normal cantrol and from the patient Resting Stimulated with PMA Normal control 10 DHR 123 [Resting) DHR 123 (4) Patient HR 123 (Restingl
Explanation / Answer
The physical symptoms of 5 year old girl indicated pathogen infection. Chest X-ray also suggested presence of viral pathogen in the body. The conducted blood test on patients sample showed increased presence of white blood cells suggesting viral pathogen attack. When a sample of white blood cells was mixed DHR and PMA (mimicking pathogen infection) and white blood cells were analyzed for the increased fluorescence of DHR through H2O2 production, normal control showed increase in DHR fluorescence indicating neutrophil stimulation. However, patient’s sample do not show such increase in DHR fluorescence. This suggest that neutrophils are significantly decreased indicating a viral infection. Using above details one can say yes, the girls is at risk of viral infection.
