What is the significance of immune complex formation in infective endocarditis?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Immune complexes formed during the course of infective endocarditis can be deposited in various tissues and organs, resulting in inflammation and tissue damage. This can lead to systemic complications such as glomerulonephritis, arthritis, and vasculitis.

Answer: B 
 Immune complexes can contribute to the formation of biofilms on the heart valves, which protect the bacteria from antibiotics and the host immune response, making it difficult to eliminate the infection.

Answer: C 
 Immune complex formation does not cause disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), which is a serious complication of infective endocarditis that can result in widespread clotting and bleeding.

Answer: D 
 Immune complexes do not result in the enzymatic destruction of neutrophils and macrophages.

Answer: E 
 Immune complex formation can lead to the development of autoimmunity, as the host immune system may mistakenly attack self-antigens that are similar to the bacterial antigens involved in the immune complex formation. However, this is not a primary significance of immune complexes in infective endocarditis.

What Is the Significance of Immune Complex Formation in Infective