A 3-month-old girl is brought to the emergency department due to fever, irritability, and vomiting for the past 2 days. On examination, she is ill-looking, lethargic, and febrile. Blood cultures grow Mycobacterium tuberculosis. One of her brothers died from disseminated mycobacterial infection during infancy. Impairment of which of the following protective mechanisms is most likely contributing to this patient's infection?

Question

A 3-month-old girl is brought to the emergency department due to fever, irritability, and vomiting for the past 2 days.  On examination, she is ill-looking, lethargic, and febrile.  Blood cultures grow Mycobacterium tuberculosis.  One of her brothers died from disseminated mycobacterial infection during infancy.  Impairment of which of the following protective mechanisms is most likely contributing to this patient's infection?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Inherited defects involving the interferon-Gamma signaling pathway result in disseminated mycobacterial disease in infancy or early childhood.  Patients require lifelong treatment with antimycobacterial agents.

A 3-Month-Old Girl Is Brought to the Emergency Department Due