A patient undergoing chemotherapy experiences a severe drop in neutrophil count. Which mechanism explains increased susceptibility to opportunistic infections?

💡 Explanation

Neutropenia, caused by chemotherapy, reduces neutrophil numbers. Because neutrophils are crucial for phagocytosis, the ability to engulf and destroy pathogens is impaired, therefore opportunistic infections occur, rather than heightened T-cell cytotoxicity, complement activation or excess cytokine production.

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