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Question #46593
The Question
Baculoviruses (genus Nucleopolyhedrovirus) are frequently utilized as expression vectors to produce recombinant therapeutic proteins in insect cell lines. A patient treated with such a recombinant therapeutic later undergoes an indirect ELISA test to detect antibodies against a novel human pathogen. The diagnostic ELISA kit utilizes recombinant viral antigens synthesized in the exact same baculovirus expression system. Despite having no prior exposure to the human pathogen, the patient yields a strong positive result. Which of the following immunological principles best explains this diagnostic anomaly?
Options
- A.
The patient developed a primary humoral response against trace baculovirus proteins in the therapeutic, and these circulating antibodies bound to residual baculovirus impurities present in the ELISA well.
- B.
Baculoviruses are capable of infecting mammalian cells, establishing a latent infection that continuously stimulates a secondary immune response, which non-specifically cleaves the ELISA substrate.
- C.
The recombinant therapeutic protein acted as a hapten, binding directly to the enzyme-linked anti-human secondary antibody used in the ELISA to produce an independent color change.
- D.
The patient's T-cytotoxic lymphocytes recognized the recombinant antigen presented on the ELISA microtiter plate, triggering a cell-mediated false-positive chromogenic reaction.
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Correct Answer
Step-by-Step Solution
Explanation
How the Examiner Thinks
Regulatory_Failure
Understand how NOT, EXCEPT, and logical constraints are used to manipulate exam results.
Concepts Behind This Question
Baculovirus|Molecular Diagnosis by ELISA|Primary vs Secondary Immune Response
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
Conceptual Pivot: Students often assume ELISA specificity is absolute and fail to consider the manufacturing source of recombinant antigens.
The trap relies on synthesizing knowledge from three NCERT chapters: 'Microbes in Human Welfare' (Baculovirus safety profile), 'Biotechnology and its Applications' (ELISA principle based on antigen-antibody interaction), and 'Human Health and Disease' (Humoral immunity).
The misconception is failing to recognize that an indirect ELISA will detect ANY human antibody that successfully binds to the well's contents, including shared manufacturing impurities.
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Biology |
| Chapter | Microbes in Human Welfare - Class 12 |
| Concept | Baculovirus Host Specificity |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 5 |
| Target Solve Time | 120 sec |
| Access | Free |