A 5-year-old boy with severe, recurrent respiratory infections is undergoing evaluation. Sputum studies reveal intracellular bacteria. Further testing shows that the patient's T cells lack the IL-12 receptor. Supplementation with which of the following substances would most likely improve this patient's condition?

Question

A 5-year-old boy with severe, recurrent respiratory infections is undergoing evaluation.  Sputum studies reveal intracellular bacteria.  Further testing shows that the patient's T cells lack the IL-12 receptor.  Supplementation with which of the following substances would most likely improve this patient's condition?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: IL-12 stimulates the differentiation of naive Th0 cells into Th1 cells.  Patients with IL-12 receptor deficiency are susceptible to severe mycobacterial infections due to the inability to mount a strong cell-mediated granulomatous immune response; therefore, they require treatment with IFN-Gamma.

A 5-Year-Old Boy with Severe, Recurrent Respiratory Infections Is Undergoing