Question 1

An adult patient with a history of chronic hepatitis C presents with a sudden onset of dark urine and lower extremity rash. A biopsy of the rash reveals deposits of immune complexes in small blood vessels. Which of the following best describes the primary response that results in tissue damage in this patient’s condition?
Group of answer choices

Activation of the complement cascade causing local inflammation

Hyperactivation of natural killer cells leading to vascular injury

Direct cytolysis by the immune complexes

Direct cytolysis by cytotoxic T cells

Answer:

Activation of the complement cascade causing local inflammation