A 43-Year-Old Man with a History of Kidney Transplantation Is

Multiple Choice

A 43-year-old man with a history of kidney transplantation is on immunosuppressive drugs. He presents to the emergency department 84 days after transplantation with a slight fever, accompanied by violent shaking chills, rapid heart rate, and dangerously low blood pressure. Blood cultures are positive for gram-negative bacteria, including Klebsiella and Pseudomonas. Although the patient was initially alert and responsive to fluids and antibiotic therapy, his condition rapidly deteriorates into disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) , hypoglycemia, and cardiovascular failure. Which of the following is an essential mediator of this patient's condition?

A) Transforming growth factor-β
B) Tumor necrosis factor-α
C) Interleukin (IL) -2
D) IL-10
E) IL-3