Immunology: selective IgA deficiency: practice question

A Microbiology 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.

Try it

Microbiology · Immunology: selective IgA deficiency

Sample item

A man with recurrent sinopulmonary infections and chronic giardiasis develops fever, bronchospasm and hypotension within minutes of a plasma transfusion. Which measure would prevent this in future transfusions?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Using washed red cells or components from IgA-deficient donors

Selective IgA deficiency is the commonest primary immunodeficiency. Some patients develop anti-IgA antibodies that react with IgA in donor plasma, causing anaphylaxis. Prevention is by washed cellular products or IgA-deficient donor plasma. Other product modifications target different transfusion complications.

Option by option

  • A. Using washed red cells or components from IgA-deficient donors (correct)

    Correct. Removing or avoiding donor IgA prevents the anti-IgA reaction.

  • B. Using leukodepleted components

    Leukodepletion reduces febrile non-haemolytic reactions and CMV transmission, not anti-IgA reactions.

  • C. Using irradiated components

    Irradiation prevents transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease.

  • D. Using CMV-seronegative donors

    CMV-safe products reduce CMV transmission to vulnerable recipients.

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.

More Microbiology questions

Questions about this Microbiology question

What is the answer to this Microbiology question?

The best answer is A, Using washed red cells or components from IgA-deficient donors. Selective IgA deficiency is the commonest primary immunodeficiency.

Why is "Using leukodepleted components" not the answer?

Leukodepletion reduces febrile non-haemolytic reactions and CMV transmission, not anti-IgA reactions.

Why is "Using irradiated components" not the answer?

Irradiation prevents transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease.

Why is "Using CMV-seronegative donors" not the answer?

CMV-safe products reduce CMV transmission to vulnerable recipients.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Immunology: selective IgA deficiency in Microbiology. Some patients develop anti-IgA antibodies that react with IgA in donor plasma, causing anaphylaxis. Prevention is by washed cellular products or IgA-deficient donor plasma. Other product modifications target different transfusion complications.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 Immunology: selective IgA deficiency?

Make a one-line identity card for each organism: shape and stain, defining test, toxin, disease and drug. Then use the flashcards and the other Microbiology 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.