Many Inactivated Vaccines Contain an Adjuvant, a Substance That Enhances

question 59

Multiple Choice

Many inactivated vaccines contain an adjuvant, a substance that enhances the immune response to antigens. An adjuvant that uses a derivative of lipid A has recently been developed. Would lipid A work well as an adjuvant?

• A) Yes. Lipid A alerts the immune system to the presence of Gram-negative bacteria. It would similarly alert the immune system to the components of a vaccine if used as an adjuvant in the vaccine.
• B) Yes. Lipid A alerts the immune system to the presence of Gram-positive bacteria. It would likely also alert the immune system to the components of a vaccine if used as an adjuvant in the vaccine.
• C) Yes. Lipid A alerts the immune system to the presence of Gram-negative AND Gram-positive bacteria. It would similarly alert the immune system to the components of a vaccine if used as an adjuvant in the vaccine.
• D) No. Lipid A is actually unlikely to be successful as an adjuvant because it always causes an intense inflammatory reaction in a host, resulting in extensive tissue damage.
• E) No. Lipid A is actually unlikely to be successful as an adjuvant because even minimal amounts of this molecule causes endotoxic shock in a person, usually resulting in death.