Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026
13:36
Generation of Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells with Differing Sialylated Phenotypes
Published on: October 20, 2023
Mannose-binding lectin deficiency in a child with recurrent infections
Heidi E Martinson1, Frank T Saulsbury
1Augusta Pediatrics, Fishersville, VA, USA.
The Journal of Pediatrics
|October 31, 2009
Summary
Mannose-binding lectin deficiency, a common condition, can cause recurrent infections in children. Testing for this deficiency is recommended for evaluating children with frequent infections.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is a key component of the innate immune system.
- MBL deficiency is a relatively common genetic condition affecting immune response.
Observation:
- An 11-month-old girl with recurrent infections was diagnosed with mannose-binding lectin deficiency.
- Her mother and brother exhibited similar MBL deficiency, suggesting a familial pattern.
Findings:
- The case highlights a link between MBL deficiency and increased susceptibility to infections.
- The prevalence of MBL deficiency underscores its potential clinical significance.
Implications:
- Routine MBL deficiency screening may aid in diagnosing children with recurrent infections.
- Early identification of MBL deficiency can guide prophylactic and therapeutic strategies.
- Understanding MBL's role in immunity is crucial for managing immunodeficiencies.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Glucose Transporters
Glucose transporters facilitate the transport of glucose across the cell membrane. In addition to glucose, some glucose transporters can also aid the movement of other hexoses such as fructose, mannose, and galactose.
Facilitated diffusion-glucose transporters (GLUTs) are encoded by the solute-linked carrier (SLC) family 2, subfamily A gene family, or SLC2A. The 14 GLUT protein members are distributed into three classes:
Facilitated diffusion-glucose transporters (GLUTs) are encoded by the solute-linked carrier (SLC) family 2, subfamily A gene family, or SLC2A. The 14 GLUT protein members are distributed into three classes:
01:28Amebiasis
Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan parasite, is responsible for intestinal and extraintestinal amebiasis. Though a significant proportion of infections remain asymptomatic, approximately 50 million individuals annually are estimated to present with clinical disease, resulting in up to 100,000 deaths globally. The disease burden is disproportionately high in regions with lower socioeconomic status, such as parts of India, Africa, Mexico, and Latin America.Etiology and TransmissionThe infective...
01:25Selectins
Cell adhesion is an essential aspect of multicellularity. While stable cell interactions usually occur between cells of the same type, transient cell interactions occur between cells of different tissue types, such as between neutrophils and endothelial cells. Selectins are one class of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) that bind carbohydrate ligands to form transient cell adhesion. They are rod-like proteins with a long extracellular part of variable length ending with the lectin domain, which...
01:25Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a critical public health threat, arising from its capacity to resist β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This gene encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which impairs binding efficacy of methicillin and other β-lactams. MRSA has evolved into distinct clonal lineages impacting humans and animals alike, reinforcing its significance within the One...
01:20Inborn Errors of Metabolism
Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a protein metabolism disorder characterized by high blood levels of the amino acid phenylalanine. This results from a mutation in the gene responsible for phenylalanine hydroxylase, an enzyme that converts phenylalanine into tyrosine. When this enzyme is deficient, phenylalanine builds up in the blood, leading to symptoms such as vomiting, rashes, seizures, growth deficiency, and severe mental retardation. An early diagnosis and a diet restricting phenylalanine intake...
01:24Oligosaccharide Assembly
Protein glycosylation starts in the ER lumen and continues in the Golgi apparatus. Glycosyltransferases catalyze the addition of sugar molecules or glycosylation of proteins. Usually, these enzymes add sugars to the hydroxyl groups of selected serine or threonine residues to form O-linked glycans or the amino groups of asparagine residues to form N-linked glycans. Different positions on the same polypeptide chain can contain differently linked glycans.
Multiple sugar molecules that may or may...
Multiple sugar molecules that may or may...