A Small Subset of Patients Taking Antibiotics Such as Minocycline

Multiple Choice

A small subset of patients taking antibiotics such as minocycline develop symptoms resembling those of systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE) . These symptoms include a severe skin rash that may cover the legs and trunk, arthritic joint pain, and swelling of the lower limbs, as well as the face, lips, ears, and tongue. These symptoms subside once the antibiotic is discontinued. In these individuals, a skin test for hypersensitivity to minocycline within 15 minutes of intradermal injection of the drug is negative. Analysis of the peripheral blood from these patients would likely reveal:

A) IgE antibodies to the minocycline antibiotic
B) IgG antibodies to the minocycline antibiotic
C) Effector T_H2 CD4 T cells specific for a minocycline-modified protein
D) Red blood cells coated with antibodies and complement components
E) A substantial increase in the numbers of circulating neutrophils and eosinophils