A 58-year-old asymptomatic woman comes to the office for a health checkup prior to starting volunteer work at a hospital. She has a history of hypothyroidism and takes levothyroxine. She does not use tobacco, alcohol, or illicit drugs. Her examination findings are unremarkable. During a laboratory test, her white blood cells are incubated with mycobacterial antigens. Compared to the control, a large amount of interferon-gamma is detected in her blood sample. Which of the following cell types is most directly responsible for this finding?

Question

A 58-year-old asymptomatic woman comes to the office for a health checkup prior to starting volunteer work at a hospital.  She has a history of hypothyroidism and takes levothyroxine.  She does not use tobacco, alcohol, or illicit drugs.  Her examination findings are unremarkable.  During a laboratory test, her white blood cells are incubated with mycobacterial antigens.  Compared to the control, a large amount of interferon-gamma is detected in her blood sample.  Which of the following cell types is most directly responsible for this finding?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Interferon-gamma (IFN-) release assays test for latent tuberculosis infection by measuring the amount of IFN- released by T lymphocytes when exposed to antigens unique to Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

A 58-Year-Old Asymptomatic Woman Comes to the Office for a Health