Autoimmune gastritis causes pernicious megaloblastic anemia because in this disease these patients have autoantibodies that destroy
A. esophageal squamous epithelium
B. gastric foveolar cells
C. gastric chief cells
D. gastric parietal cells
E. gastrointestinal neuroendocrine cells
D
Autoimmune gastritis is characterized by destruction and loss of gastric parietal cells. These cells secrete intrinsic factor, which is essential for the absorption of vitamin B12 in the small intestine. Without intrinsic factors vitamin B12 cannot be absorbed. Since vitamin B12 is essential for normal erythropoiesis, lack of this vitamin will adversely affect the normal maturation of red blood cell precursors in the bone marrow, resulting in megaloblastic anemia.
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Indicate whether the statement is true or false
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