Question

2. An article in the science journal Nature, looked at the immune response in a patient X with non-severe COVID-19. They found that the following were present in the blood of the patient and persisted for at least 7 days after recovery. Choose TWO of the following and explain how it helped to destroy or remove the coronavirus responsible for COVID-19.

Helper T cells

CD8+ T cells

IgM and IgG antibodies that bound SARS-CoV-2 virus,

Elevated levels of gamma-interferon

b. No other respiratory pathogens were detected in patient X. She was not treated with antibiotics. Why wasn’t she treated with antibiotics?

Answer 1

A).

1. Helper T cells is the most important cells in immune system against viral infections. They helps to activate B cells to secrete antibodies. They also activates macrophages and cytotoxic T cells to kill infected cells.

2. COVID-19 is caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus. IgM and IgG are immunoglobulins produced by the immune system as a protection against SARS-CoV-2.

IgM is specialized to activate complement system upon binding with the virus. IgG antibodies can neutralize viruses with high affinity and opsonizes them for phagocytosis. They also activates complement system.

B). Antibiotics cannot kill viruses. COVID-19 is caused by SARS-COV-2 virus. The antibiotic has no “target” in a virus. Antibiotics can only treat bacterial infections.

Thank you.