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Increased risk of pertussis in adult patients with mannose-binding lectin deficiency

Kirsi Gröndahl-Yli-Hannuksela1, Markku Viander, Jussi Mertsola

  • 1Department of Infectious Disease Surveillance and Control, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Turku, Finland.

APMIS : Acta Pathologica, Microbiologica, Et Immunologica Scandinavica
|October 4, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Low mannose-binding lectin (MBL) levels increase susceptibility to infections. This study found MBL deficiency more common in pertussis patients, suggesting it predisposes adults to this respiratory illness.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is a key component of innate immunity.
  • Low serum MBL levels are linked to higher susceptibility to respiratory infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between MBL levels and pertussis infection.
  • To determine if MBL deficiency is a risk factor for pertussis.

Main Methods:

  • Quantified MBL concentrations in sera from 125 Finnish pertussis patients and 430 controls.
  • Compared the prevalence of severe MBL deficiency (<50 ng/mL) between patient and control groups.

Main Results:

  • Severe MBL deficiency was significantly more prevalent in pertussis patients (11.2%) than controls (5.8%, p=0.038).
  • MBL deficiency was notably higher in adult pertussis patients (20.4%) compared to adult controls (8.6%, p=0.021).
  • MBL deficiency showed an odds ratio of 2.7 for pertussis in adults.

Conclusions:

  • MBL deficiency appears to be a predisposing factor for pertussis infection, particularly in adults.
  • This study provides novel evidence linking MBL deficiency to pertussis susceptibility.

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