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Association of low concentrations of serum mannose-binding protein with recurrent infections in adults
V N Kakkanaiah1, G Q Shen, E A Ojo-Amaize
1Specialty Laboratories, Santa Monica, California 90404-3900, USA. VKakkanaiah@specialtylabs.com
Abstract:
Low concentrations of mannose-binding protein (MBP; also known as mannose-binding lectin) are associated with common opsonic defect in immunodeficient children. We compared the concentrations of MBP in the sera of 47 adults with non-human immunodeficiency virus-related recurrent infections (group I) and 50 healthy adult controls. Mean serum MBP concentrations in the patient group did not differ significantly from those in the control group (P < 0.4). Nevertheless, the proportion of individuals with less than 5 ng of serum MBP per ml was significantly larger in the patient group (21%, P = 0.01) than in the control group (4%). Group II consisted of 73 pediatric and 56 adult patients with recurrent infections. Pediatric patients had significantly lower mean concentrations of serum MBP than their controls (P < 0.005), and there was no significant difference between the concentrations in sera of adult patients and adult controls (P < 0.4). Again, the proportion of individuals with less than 5 ng of serum MBP per ml was significantly larger in both pediatric (22%, P = 0.045) and adult (38%, P = 0.000016) patients than in their respective controls (4%). Our results demonstrate that, as in children, low concentrations of serum MBP can be associated with recurrent infections in adults.
Insights
Low mannose-binding protein (MBP) concentrations are linked to recurrent infections in adults, similar to findings in children. A higher proportion of patients with recurrent infections had low MBP levels compared to healthy controls.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Mannose-binding protein (MBP), also known as mannose-binding lectin, plays a role in the innate immune system.
- Low MBP concentrations have been associated with opsonic defects and recurrent infections in immunodeficient children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between serum MBP concentrations and recurrent infections in adults.
- To compare MBP levels in adults with recurrent infections to healthy adult controls.
Main Methods:
- Serum MBP concentrations were measured in adults with recurrent infections and healthy adult controls.
- Serum MBP concentrations were also assessed in pediatric patients with recurrent infections and their respective controls.
Main Results:
- While mean serum MBP concentrations did not differ significantly between adult patients and controls, a higher proportion of adult patients had MBP levels below 5 ng/ml (21% vs 4%).
- Pediatric patients with recurrent infections showed significantly lower mean serum MBP concentrations than their controls.
- A significantly larger proportion of both pediatric (22%) and adult (38%) patients with recurrent infections exhibited low MBP levels (<5 ng/ml) compared to their respective controls.
Conclusions:
- Low serum MBP concentrations are associated with recurrent infections in adults, mirroring findings in children.
- MBP deficiency may represent a risk factor for recurrent infections across different age groups.