Q.100 One individual has a parasitic worm infection and another is responding to an allergen such as
pollen. Which ONE of the following features is common to both of them?
(A) Increase in cytotoxic T cell population
(B) Risk of developing an autoimmune disease
(C) Reduced innate immune response
(D) Increased levels of IgE
Parasitic Worms and Allergies: Shared Immune Feature
Both parasitic worm infections and allergic responses like pollen trigger Th2-dominated immunity with elevated IgE. The correct answer is (D).
Correct Answer
(D) Increased levels of IgE.
Immune Response Overview
Parasitic helminths (worms) elicit a Th2 response, promoting B cells to produce IgE that arms mast cells and eosinophils against large parasites.
Allergens like pollen similarly drive Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-13), causing allergen-specific IgE production and type I hypersensitivity.
This shared IgE elevation links anti-parasite defense to allergy pathology, relevant for molecular biology studies on immune modulation.
Option Breakdown
| Option | Explanation | Why Incorrect |
|---|---|---|
| (A) Increase in cytotoxic T cell population | Cytotoxic CD8+ T cells dominate antiviral/cell-mediated responses (Th1), not Th2-driven worm or allergy contexts. | Wrong pathway for both conditions. |
| (B) Risk of developing an autoimmune disease | Autoimmunity ties to Th1/Th17 dysregulation; Th2 skewing in helminths/allergies often protects against autoimmunity. | Inverse association typically. |
| (C) Reduced innate immune response | Both enhance innate elements like eosinophils, basophils, and mast cells via IgE-mediated activation. | Innate response amplified. |
| (D) Increased levels of IgE | Helminths induce high total/parasite-specific IgE for expulsion; allergies produce allergen-specific IgE for sensitization. | Correct: Universal Th2 hallmark. |
Biotech Relevance
For genetics and bioinformatics students, IgE insights aid vaccine design against helminths or allergy therapies, using tools like sequence alignment for IgE epitopes. Key for exams on antibody isotypes and hypersensitivity.
