Q: M. tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis, causes latent infection in a vast majority of infected patients. These latent infections are characterized by granulomas - small areas of infected tissue that are surrounded by immune cells in an attempt to contain the spread of the bacteria. These granulomas can persist indefinitely without progressing to the disease, leaving the patient unaware of his infection. Which of the following is the most likely reason for the formation of granulomas?
A		The immune system is unable to eradicate the bacteria, so it walls them off to prevent their spreading.
B		The bacteria induce formation of granuloma to protect themselves from the immune system.
C		The immune system retains the latent infection to prevent opportunistic infection from other, more destructive bacteria.
D		The bacteria go into dormancy; dormant bacteria cannot be removed by the immune system, thereby resulting in granuloma formation.

Prokaryotes | Immune System |