Question

A rabbit is vaccinated with an experimental vaccine against Klebsiella pneumoniae. Following vaccination, serum from the rabbit is tested by ELISA, and the anti-Klebsiella pneumoniae antibody concentration is found to be 253 mIU/ml.

a) Two months after vaccination, the rabbit was accidentally exposed to live Klebsiella pneumoniae. After this exposure, will the concentration of anti-Klebsiella pneumoniae antibodies in the serum of the rabbit to be higher than, lower than, or equal to 253 mIU/ml? (1 point)

b) EXPLAIN IN DETAIL your answer to part (a).

c) Is it likely for the rabbit to develop disease as a result of the exposure described in part (a)?

yes or no

d) EXPLAIN IN DETAIL your answer to part (c).

Answer 1

Hello,

Ans) a)When rabbit was exposed to live Klebsiella pneumoniae after vaccination,this time the level of antibodies in the serum will be higher than 253mlU/ml.

b)When rabbit was vaccinated and exposed to the antigen/immunogen for the first time,the antibody response is called primary response as that rabbit has not been exposed to such antigen before and therefore there were no specific antibody production.After the primary response that rabbit now has memory B cells formed by the differentiation of B cells.When the same antigen attack the rabbit,this time antibodies will be produced in large amount as the rabbit now has memory B cells that will further differentiate into effector B cells(antibodies).This is called secondary response or anamnestic response.

c)Rabbit may or may not develop the disease.

d)Depending on the severity of antigen rabbit may or may not develop the disease but this time the immune response of the rabbit towards the antigen will be more stronger and this will help the rabbit to cope up with the infection.

Hope this helps.