A traveller from the UK develops dengue fever in the Philippines. Two years later, she revisits the Philippines and develops severe dengue with plasma...

Question

A traveller from the UK develops dengue fever in the Philippines. Two years later, she revisits the Philippines and develops severe dengue with plasma leakage and shock. What immunological phenomenon explains why secondary dengue infection is more severe than primary infection?

Accepted Answer

Antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE), where pre-existing non-neutralising antibodies from a prior heterotypic dengue infection enhance viral entry into Fc-receptor-bearing cells, increasing viral replication

Answer

T-cell exhaustion from prior infection

Answer

Complement deficiency acquired during primary dengue

Answer

Superinfection with a more virulent dengue serotype

Answer

Immune tolerance to dengue virus

uk-dtmh MCQ (SBA): Dengue Antibody-dependent Enhancement

A traveller from the UK develops dengue fever in the Philippines. Two years later, she revisits the Philippines and develops severe dengue with plasma leakage and shock. What immunological phenomenon explains why secondary dengue infection is more severe than primary infection?