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Genetic susceptibility to invasive meningococcal disease: MBL2 structural polymorphisms revisited in a large

D T Bradley1, T W Bourke, D J Fairley

  • 1Centre for Public Health, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK. dbradley09@qub.ac.uk

International Journal of Immunogenetics
|February 3, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Common genetic variations in the mannose-binding lectin gene (MBL2) do not increase the risk of invasive meningococcal disease. This large study and systematic review confirm MBL2 polymorphisms do not predispose individuals to this serious infection.

Area of Science:

  • Immunogenetics
  • Microbial pathogenesis
  • Public health

Background:

  • Invasive meningococcal disease, caused by Neisseria meningitidis, is a significant global health concern.
  • Previous research suggested that specific genetic variations in the mannose-binding lectin gene (MBL2) might increase susceptibility to meningococcal disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between common MBL2 gene polymorphisms and the risk of developing invasive meningococcal disease.
  • To clarify conflicting findings from previous smaller studies.

Main Methods:

  • Conducted the largest case-control study to date, including 296 PCR-positive cases and 5196 population controls of European ancestry.
  • Performed a systematic review of all relevant studies published since 1999, encompassing 24,693 individuals.
  • Analyzed MBL2 allele frequencies in cases and controls and across the reviewed literature.

Main Results:

  • The largest case-control study found no overall increased risk of meningococcal disease associated with MBL2 polymorphisms.
  • No age-defined subgroup showed a significant change in risk related to these polymorphisms.
  • A systematic review revealed a population frequency of 0.230 for the combined 'defective' MBL2 allele, and identified methodological issues in prior studies with unusually low control allele frequencies.

Conclusions:

  • MBL2 structural polymorphisms do not appear to predispose individuals, including children and adults, to invasive meningococcal disease.
  • Discrepancies in previous findings are attributed to systematic problems in study control populations.
  • Current evidence strongly indicates MBL2 polymorphisms are not a risk factor for meningococcal disease.

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