Which increase in antibody titer best indicates an acute infection?

Which increase in antibody titer best indicates an acute infection?

• A. From 1:2 to 1:8
• B. From 1:4 to 1:16
• C. From 1:16 to 1:256
• D. From 1:64 to 1:128

Answer: (C)

An increase in antibody titer indicates the body's immune response to an infection, reflecting the level of antibodies present against a specific pathogen. In the context of acute infections, a significant rise in antibody titer, particularly in a short period, is a critical indicator. The choice that shows the most substantial increase, from 1:16 to 1:256, represents a fourfold increase (or more) over the baseline level of antibodies, indicating a strong and rapid immune response. This magnitude of increase is characteristic of an acute infection, where the immune system detects the pathogen and responds by producing more antibodies in a short timeframe. In contrast, while the other options do show increases, they are not as pronounced as the increase from 1:16 to 1:256. A fourfold increase, which is a standard benchmark for identifying acute infections, signals the immune system's active engagement with the pathogen. This makes the choice of titer from 1:16 to 1:256 the best indicator of an acute infection.

An increase in antibody titer indicates the body's immune response to an infection, reflecting the level of antibodies present against a specific pathogen. In the context of acute infections, a significant rise in antibody titer, particularly in a short period, is a critical indicator.

The choice that shows the most substantial increase, from 1:16 to 1:256, represents a fourfold increase (or more) over the baseline level of antibodies, indicating a strong and rapid immune response. This magnitude of increase is characteristic of an acute infection, where the immune system detects the pathogen and responds by producing more antibodies in a short timeframe.

In contrast, while the other options do show increases, they are not as pronounced as the increase from 1:16 to 1:256. A fourfold increase, which is a standard benchmark for identifying acute infections, signals the immune system's active engagement with the pathogen. This makes the choice of titer from 1:16 to 1:256 the best indicator of an acute infection.