Hypersensitivity and Autoimmunity · USMLE Step 1

A patient experiences serum sickness after receiving antivenom. What causes this reaction?

  1. IgE-mediated histamine release
  2. T-cell activation
  3. Immune complex deposition
  4. Autoantibody binding to tissues
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Correct answer: Immune complex deposition

Serum sickness is a classic Type III hypersensitivity. Animal-derived antibodies form complexes that deposit in tissues.

Difficulty: Medium Question 6 of 20

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