While the doctor is correct in identifying B-cells’ contribution to fighting the infection, he does not tell the entire story. The B-cells belong to the so-called third line of defense, which activates when the previous ones could not contain an infection (Cowan, 2017). However, the role of T-cells is equally relevant during that stage (Cowan, 2017). The two types have different developmental cycles, challenges, and responses, with B-cell triggering the secretion of immunoglobulins and T-cells leading to cell-mediated immunity, but both are extremely important for fighting infections (Cowan, 2017). B-cells are also responsible for maintaining T-cells and suppressing the expansion of the pathogenic types, potentially caused by cytotoxic cells, which could explain why the doctor emphasized B-cells’ importance (Rosser & Mauri, 2015). However, the potential of various T-cell subcategories should not be underestimated, as some also stimulate B-cells activities and facilitate natural immunity, which will make Bruce eventually recover (Cowan, 2017). Overall, the doctor could have highlighted B-cells’ role in fighting the diseases and regulating T-cells, but both are important, and the latter might be more potent in fighting Bruce’s infection than expected.
References
Cowan, M. K. (2017). Microbiology: A systems approach (5th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
Rosser, E. C., & Mauri, C. (2015). Regulatory B cells: Origin, phenotype, and function. Immunity, 42(4), 607–612. Web.