Question

A 25-year-old woman comes to your office complaining that she always seems to have watery eyes and a runny nose. These symptoms get worse after she has been outside, especially if she plays in the grass with her 2-year-old. Allergy testing reveals that she is highly allergic to several grass pollens. You suggest that allergy shots, using grass pollens as the antigens, might be helpful. What is the major principle behind the potential success of allergy shots?

The body makes antibodies to the injected antigen
Phagocytic cells are activated to directly remove antigens more effectively
T cell receptors are activated to recognize native antigens
The injected antigen neutralizes existing antibodies
The specificity of existing antibodies is increased to react with the injected antigen

Answer 1

Allergy shots are successful because the body makes antibodies to the injected antigen, which helps desensitize the immune system to allergens. In the case of grass pollen allergies, allergy shots using grass pollens as antigens can be helpful.

Step-by-step explanation:

The major principle behind the potential success of allergy shots is that the body makes antibodies to the injected antigen. Allergy shots, also known as immunotherapy, involve injecting increasing amounts of allergens into the body over time.

This exposure to the allergens helps to desensitize the immune system, reducing the allergic response to the allergens. In the case of the 25-year-old woman with grass pollen allergies, injecting grass pollens as antigens can help her immune system build antibodies to those specific pollens, potentially reducing her symptoms in the long term