During the course of an intestinal infection with Salmonella enteritidis, the B cells undergo class switching. What switching is most likely to occur, and what causes the switch?
A) IgD to IgE; B-cell cytokines
B) IgM to IgA; T-cell cytokines
C) IgG to IgM; B-cell cytokines
D) IgA to IgG; T-cell cytokines
E) IgD to IgM; T-cell cytokines

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

During an intestinal infection with Salmonella enteritidis, the most likely class switching to occur is IgM to IgA. This is because T-cell cytokines, specifically interleukin-5 and transforming growth factor-beta, promote class switching to IgA in the gut-associated lymphoid tissue, where Salmonella enteritidis is likely to colonize. IgA plays an important role in protecting mucosal surfaces from bacterial infections.

During the Course of an Intestinal Infection with Salmonella Enteritidis