Chronic inflammation: eosinophilic response: practice question

A Pathology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Pathology · Chronic inflammation: eosinophilic response

Sample item

A 9-year-old boy from a rural area has cough, abdominal discomfort and an absolute eosinophil count of 2,500 per microlitre. Stool examination shows Ascaris lumbricoides eggs. Which cytokine, secreted mainly by Th2 cells, is chiefly responsible for the eosinophilia?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. IL-5, which stimulates eosinophil production and activation

Helminth infection and allergy provoke a Th2 response. IL-5 promotes the growth, differentiation and activation of eosinophils in the marrow, and IL-4 and IL-13 promote IgE class switching. Eosinophils bind IgE-coated parasites and release major basic protein, which damages the helminth cuticle.

Option by option

  • A. IL-5, which stimulates eosinophil production and activation (correct)

    Correct. IL-5 is the main eosinophil-active cytokine, and explains eosinophilia in helminthic infections.

  • B. Interferon-gamma, which activates macrophages

    Interferon-gamma from Th1 cells activates macrophages for killing intracellular organisms, not eosinophil production.

  • C. IL-17, which recruits neutrophils

    IL-17 from Th17 cells recruits neutrophils in extracellular bacterial and fungal infection.

  • D. IL-12, which drives differentiation of Th1 cells

    IL-12 is made by macrophages and dendritic cells and drives Th1 differentiation against intracellular microbes.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Pathology question

What is the answer to this Pathology question?

The best answer is A, IL-5, which stimulates eosinophil production and activation. Helminth infection and allergy provoke a Th2 response.

Why is "Interferon-gamma, which activates macrophages" not the answer?

Interferon-gamma from Th1 cells activates macrophages for killing intracellular organisms, not eosinophil production.

Why is "IL-17, which recruits neutrophils" not the answer?

IL-17 from Th17 cells recruits neutrophils in extracellular bacterial and fungal infection.

Why is "IL-12, which drives differentiation of Th1 cells" not the answer?

IL-12 is made by macrophages and dendritic cells and drives Th1 differentiation against intracellular microbes.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Chronic inflammation: eosinophilic response in Pathology. IL-5 promotes the growth, differentiation and activation of eosinophils in the marrow, and IL-4 and IL-13 promote IgE class switching. Eosinophils bind IgE-coated parasites and release major basic protein, which damages the helminth cuticle.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Chronic inflammation: eosinophilic response?

Learn each disease as a bundle: cause, key histology, markers, and the clinical hallmark. Then use the flashcards and the other Pathology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.