Blood and immunity: graft-versus-host disease: practice question

A Physiology 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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Physiology · Blood and immunity: graft-versus-host disease

Sample item

Ten days after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation, a patient develops a skin rash, jaundice and watery diarrhoea. Which cells in the graft mediate this complication?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Donor T lymphocytes

Graft-versus-host disease occurs when immunocompetent donor T cells recognise host tissue antigens as foreign and attack the skin, liver and gut. It is a risk when the recipient is immunosuppressed and cannot reject the graft.

Option by option

  • A. Host B lymphocytes

    Host B cells make antibodies and do not cause this skin, liver and gut injury.

  • B. Donor red cells

    Red cells are not effector cells of this reaction.

  • C. Host natural killer cells

    Host NK cells are largely depleted or involved in rejection of the graft, not in graft-versus-host injury.

  • D. Donor T lymphocytes (correct)

    Correct. Donor T cells in the graft attack the recipient's tissues.

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 Physiology question

What is the answer to this Physiology question?

The best answer is D, Donor T lymphocytes. Graft-versus-host disease occurs when immunocompetent donor T cells recognise host tissue antigens as foreign and attack the skin, liver and gut.

Why is "Host B lymphocytes" not the answer?

Host B cells make antibodies and do not cause this skin, liver and gut injury.

Why is "Donor red cells" not the answer?

Red cells are not effector cells of this reaction.

Why is "Host natural killer cells" not the answer?

Host NK cells are largely depleted or involved in rejection of the graft, not in graft-versus-host injury.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Blood and immunity: graft-versus-host disease in Physiology. It is a risk when the recipient is immunosuppressed and cannot reject the graft.

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 Blood and immunity: graft-versus-host disease?

For each system, sketch the key graph (pressure–volume loop, oxygen dissociation curve, nephron handling) and explain it aloud. Then use the flashcards and the other Physiology 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.