If a patient with a genetic defect lacks functional B-cells, which immunological consequence primarily limits their defense against encapsulated bacteria?

💡 Explanation

Impaired opsonization limits defense because B-cells produce antibodies that opsonize encapsulated bacteria, marking them for phagocytosis; therefore, without functional B-cells, this process is severely compromised, rather than increased T-cell activity, complement dysregulation or cytokine storm.

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