Patients with X-linked chronic granulomatous disease are susceptible to infections because their neutrophils don’t generate an oxidative burst. What is the relation of the oxidative burst to infection?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that the oxidative burst is a rapid release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) from different types of cells, especially phagocytes like neutrophils.
2. Recognize that during an infection, neutrophils engulf pathogens and use the oxidative burst to produce ROS, which are toxic to bacteria and fungi, helping to kill and digest these pathogens.
3. Note that in X-linked chronic granulomatous disease, there is a defect in the NADPH oxidase enzyme complex, which is responsible for generating the ROS during the oxidative burst.
4. Realize that without the oxidative burst, neutrophils are unable to effectively kill certain bacteria and fungi, leading to increased susceptibility to infections.
5. Conclude that the lack of an oxidative burst in patients with this disease results in recurrent and severe infections, as their immune system cannot adequately eliminate certain pathogens.

Key Concepts

Oxidative Burst

The oxidative burst is a rapid release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) from neutrophils and other phagocytes upon activation. This process is crucial for killing pathogens, as the ROS can damage cellular components of bacteria and fungi, leading to their destruction. In conditions like X-linked chronic granulomatous disease, the inability to generate an oxidative burst significantly impairs the immune response.

Neutrophils

Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell that play a vital role in the innate immune system. They are among the first responders to sites of infection, where they engulf and destroy pathogens through phagocytosis and the oxidative burst. A deficiency in neutrophil function, as seen in chronic granulomatous disease, leads to increased susceptibility to infections, particularly from catalase-positive organisms.

X-linked Chronic Granulomatous Disease (CGD)

X-linked chronic granulomatous disease is a genetic disorder caused by mutations in genes responsible for the production of components of the NADPH oxidase complex, which is essential for the oxidative burst. Patients with CGD have neutrophils that cannot effectively produce ROS, making them more vulnerable to recurrent bacterial and fungal infections. Understanding this condition highlights the importance of the oxidative burst in immune defense.