Your patient is suffering from chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) which results in recurrent bouts of infection. CGD is characterized by an inability of phagocytic cells to kill invading microbes that they have engulfed because these cells lack the ability to generate reactive oxygen species such as H₂O₂. A defect in which of the following enzymes is most likely the cause of the phagocytic cell dysfunction?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The defect in chronic granulomatous disease is typically in the NADPH oxidase enzyme complex, which is responsible for generating reactive oxygen species. G6PDH (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) is involved in the pentose phosphate pathway, which provides NADPH necessary for the NADPH oxidase function. However, the direct enzyme defect in CGD is in the NADPH oxidase itself, not G6PDH.

Your Patient Is Suffering from Chronic Granulomatous Disease (CGD) Which