Q.1 Which of the following best defines autoimmunity?
Immune response against pathogens
Failure to produce antibodies
Immune response against self-antigens
Lack of immune memory
Explanation - Autoimmunity is the condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own cells and tissues.
Correct answer is: Immune response against self-antigens
Q.2 Which autoimmune disease is characterized by destruction of pancreatic beta cells?
Graves’ disease
Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
Multiple sclerosis
Myasthenia gravis
Explanation - Type 1 Diabetes results from autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells.
Correct answer is: Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
Q.3 In systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), which autoantibody is commonly present?
Anti-thyroglobulin
Anti-dsDNA
Anti-acetylcholine receptor
Anti-cardiolipin
Explanation - Anti-dsDNA antibodies are highly specific for systemic lupus erythematosus.
Correct answer is: Anti-dsDNA
Q.4 Which organ is primarily affected in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis?
Liver
Thyroid gland
Pancreas
Adrenal gland
Explanation - Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks the thyroid gland.
Correct answer is: Thyroid gland
Q.5 Which autoimmune disorder is characterized by demyelination of the central nervous system?
Rheumatoid arthritis
Multiple sclerosis
Graves’ disease
Sjögren’s syndrome
Explanation - Multiple sclerosis is caused by autoimmune-mediated damage to myelin in the CNS.
Correct answer is: Multiple sclerosis
Q.6 Myasthenia gravis is caused by antibodies against:
Insulin receptor
Acetylcholine receptor
TSH receptor
Myelin basic protein
Explanation - In myasthenia gravis, antibodies block acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction, impairing muscle contraction.
Correct answer is: Acetylcholine receptor
Q.7 Which of the following is an example of organ-specific autoimmune disease?
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Rheumatoid arthritis
Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
Scleroderma
Explanation - Organ-specific autoimmune diseases target a single organ, e.g., pancreas in type 1 diabetes.
Correct answer is: Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
Q.8 Graves’ disease is primarily associated with which hormone?
Insulin
Thyroid hormones
Cortisol
Parathyroid hormone
Explanation - In Graves’ disease, autoantibodies stimulate the TSH receptor, leading to excessive thyroid hormone production.
Correct answer is: Thyroid hormones
Q.9 Which of the following is a systemic autoimmune disease?
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
Type 1 Diabetes
Graves’ disease
Rheumatoid arthritis
Explanation - Rheumatoid arthritis affects multiple joints and can have systemic manifestations.
Correct answer is: Rheumatoid arthritis
Q.10 What type of hypersensitivity reaction is most often involved in autoimmune diseases?
Type I
Type II
Type III
Type IV
Explanation - Many autoimmune diseases involve type II hypersensitivity, where antibodies target self-cells. Some also involve type III and IV.
Correct answer is: Type II
Q.11 Which gene is strongly associated with autoimmune diseases such as Type 1 Diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis?
HLA-B27
HLA-DR3/DR4
HLA-A2
HLA-DQ2
Explanation - HLA-DR3 and DR4 haplotypes increase susceptibility to several autoimmune diseases.
Correct answer is: HLA-DR3/DR4
Q.12 Which cytokine is most implicated in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis?
IL-2
TNF-α
IL-10
IFN-γ
Explanation - TNF-α plays a key role in inflammation and joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis.
Correct answer is: TNF-α
Q.13 Which autoimmune disease is most commonly associated with HLA-B27?
SLE
Ankylosing spondylitis
Type 1 Diabetes
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
Explanation - Over 90% of patients with ankylosing spondylitis are HLA-B27 positive.
Correct answer is: Ankylosing spondylitis
Q.14 In SLE, deposition of immune complexes leads to which type of hypersensitivity reaction?
Type I
Type II
Type III
Type IV
Explanation - SLE is a classic example of type III hypersensitivity, involving immune complex deposition.
Correct answer is: Type III
Q.15 Which symptom is most characteristic of Graves’ disease?
Goiter and exophthalmos
Joint swelling
Butterfly rash
Muscle weakness
Explanation - Graves’ disease causes thyroid enlargement (goiter) and eye protrusion (exophthalmos).
Correct answer is: Goiter and exophthalmos
Q.16 Which autoimmune condition is associated with dry eyes and dry mouth due to lymphocytic infiltration of glands?
Rheumatoid arthritis
Sjögren’s syndrome
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
SLE
Explanation - Sjögren’s syndrome affects salivary and lacrimal glands, leading to dryness.
Correct answer is: Sjögren’s syndrome
Q.17 Which diagnostic test is useful for detecting rheumatoid arthritis?
Anti-TSH receptor antibody test
Anti-dsDNA test
Rheumatoid factor test
Glucose tolerance test
Explanation - Rheumatoid factor and anti-CCP antibodies are useful markers for diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis.
Correct answer is: Rheumatoid factor test
Q.18 Which autoimmune disease involves autoantibodies against intrinsic factor?
Pernicious anemia
Addison’s disease
Multiple sclerosis
Type 1 Diabetes
Explanation - In pernicious anemia, autoantibodies against intrinsic factor impair vitamin B12 absorption.
Correct answer is: Pernicious anemia
Q.19 What is the hallmark skin manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus?
Exophthalmos
Butterfly rash
Skin thickening
Hypopigmentation
Explanation - The butterfly rash over cheeks and nose is characteristic of SLE.
Correct answer is: Butterfly rash
Q.20 Which immunosuppressive drug is commonly used in autoimmune disease treatment?
Cisplatin
Methotrexate
Ampicillin
Paracetamol
Explanation - Methotrexate is a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) used in rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune conditions.
Correct answer is: Methotrexate
Q.21 In Goodpasture’s syndrome, autoantibodies are directed against:
Thyroid proteins
Glomerular basement membrane
Pancreatic islet cells
Acetylcholine receptor
Explanation - Goodpasture’s syndrome involves antibodies against the basement membrane in kidneys and lungs.
Correct answer is: Glomerular basement membrane
Q.22 Which autoimmune disease leads to hyperpigmentation due to adrenal insufficiency?
Addison’s disease
SLE
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
Scleroderma
Explanation - Addison’s disease is autoimmune destruction of adrenal cortex, leading to cortisol deficiency and hyperpigmentation.
Correct answer is: Addison’s disease
Q.23 Which autoimmune disease primarily affects joints with symmetrical inflammation?
Rheumatoid arthritis
Multiple sclerosis
Graves’ disease
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
Explanation - Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting synovial joints symmetrically.
Correct answer is: Rheumatoid arthritis
Q.24 In autoimmune hemolytic anemia, antibodies target:
Red blood cells
White blood cells
Platelets
Plasma proteins
Explanation - Autoimmune hemolytic anemia involves antibodies against RBCs, leading to hemolysis.
Correct answer is: Red blood cells
Q.25 Which gender is more predisposed to autoimmune diseases in general?
Males
Females
Equal distribution
Children only
Explanation - Autoimmune diseases are more common in females, possibly due to hormonal and genetic influences.
Correct answer is: Females