HIV decreases natural immunity of the body by destroying :

Options

A. Erythrocytes
B. Antibodies
C. T-lymphocytes
D. B-lymphocytes

Answer

To answer the question "HIV decreases natural immunity of the body by destroying:", we will follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding HIV**:
- HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is a retrovirus that primarily affects the immune system of the host.

2. **Mechanism of Action**:
- Upon entering the body, HIV targets specific immune cells. The primary cells affected by HIV are the helper T-lymphocytes (also known as CD4+ T-cells) and macrophages.

3. **Destruction of Immune Cells**:
- HIV enters helper T-lymphocytes and macrophages, where it replicates its genetic material. This replication leads to the destruction of these immune cells.

4. **Impact on Immunity**:
- The destruction of helper T-lymphocytes is particularly critical because these cells play a vital role in coordinating the immune response. A decrease in their numbers leads to a weakened immune system, making the body more susceptible to infections.

5. **Eliminating Incorrect Options**:
- Erythrocytes (red blood cells) are not directly affected by HIV.
- Antibodies are produced by B-lymphocytes, which are also not directly destroyed by HIV.
- The correct answer is that HIV primarily destroys T-lymphocytes.

### Final Answer:
HIV decreases natural immunity of the body by destroying **T-lymphocytes**.

---