A patient with a rare genetic defect lacks functional T-helper cells. Which immunological outcome is most likely, hindering antibody production against a novel viral infection?

💡 Explanation

Impaired B-cell activation and class switching occurs because T-helper cells provide crucial co-stimulation and cytokine signals necessary for B cells to differentiate into antibody-secreting plasma cells. Therefore, without T-helper cells, B cells cannot mount an effective antibody response, rather than direct cytotoxic killing, enhanced phagocytosis, or complement activation being the dominant failure modes.

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