What does IFNγ receptor deficiency result in?

Interferon gamma (IFNγ) plays a crucial role in the immune response, particularly in the defense against intracellular pathogens, including certain bacteria and viruses. When there is a deficiency in the IFNγ receptor, the body's ability to respond effectively to these pathogens is compromised.

A deficiency in the IFNγ receptor leads to impaired activation of macrophages and other immune cells that are essential for controlling infections with intracellular organisms like Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This results in a specific vulnerability to such infections. Patients with this deficiency typically exhibit a predisposition to mycobacterial infections and other intracellular bacteria due to the lack of adequate immune response orchestrated by IFNγ signaling.

While the other options relate to immune responses, they do not accurately reflect the primary consequence of IFNγ receptor deficiency. The heightened immune response mentioned may occur in other contexts but is not the case here. Increased susceptibility to viral infections can happen but is not the hallmark of this specific receptor deficiency; rather, the susceptibility to mycobacterial infections is a defining feature of the condition. Lastly, the development of autoimmune diseases is typically associated with dysregulation of immune tolerance but not specifically linked to IFNγ receptor deficiency. Therefore, the correct assessment is that this