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Mannose-binding lectin in pre-menopausal women with recurrent urinary tract infections

R Colodner1, O Nitzan, B Chazan

  • 1Laboratory Medicine Department, Ha'Emek Medical Center, Afula, Israel. colodner_ra@clalit.org.il

Clinical Microbiology and Infection : the Official Publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
|November 6, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) deficiency is linked to recurrent infections. This study found no significant difference in MBL serum levels between pre-menopausal women with and without recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI).

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Urology

Background:

  • Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is a serum protein crucial for innate immunity.
  • MBL deficiency is associated with increased susceptibility to various infections.
  • Previous studies link MBL deficiency to recurrent bacterial and fungal infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between MBL serum levels and recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI) in pre-menopausal women.
  • To determine if lower MBL levels increase the risk of recurrent UTIs.

Main Methods:

  • An aged-matched, double-blind, controlled study involving 100 pre-menopausal women (50 with recurrent UTI, 50 controls).
  • Serum MBL concentration was quantified using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Main Results:

  • Median MBL serum levels were 2500 ng/mL (range: 4-12,000) in the recurrent UTI group and 2105 ng/mL (range: 4-22,800) in the control group.
  • No statistically significant difference in MBL serum levels was observed between the two groups (p=0.4).

Conclusions:

  • MBL serum levels are not associated with an increased risk of recurrent urinary tract infections in pre-menopausal women.
  • The findings suggest MBL deficiency does not play a significant role in the pathogenesis of recurrent UTIs in this demographic.

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