Association between mannose-binding lectin and the sensitivities of common infections in children
Objective To investigate the association between genetic polymorphisms and protein levels of mannose-binding lectin (MBL) and the sensitivities of common infections in a pediatric Han population lived in Zhejiang Province.Methods MBL genetic polymorphisms of patients and controls were detected by PCR-based sequencing.MBL protein levels were measured using MBL ELISA Kit.Results No mutations at positions +223 and +239 of the exon 1 were detected in either patients or controls.No mutation at position +4 of the promoter was detected in controls.The frequencies of the three genotypes HH,HL,and LL at position-550 of the promoter were different between patients and controls(P＜0.05).The frequencies of genotypes "YA" and "XB" relevant to MBL protein levels were also different between patients and controls(P＜0.05).Comparing the frequencies of genotypes "YA" and "XB" in separate infectious disease with controls,significant differences were found in the group of RRI and CMV infection.The distributions of serum MBL level frequencies in patients and controls were both characterized by skewed distributions.MBL levels of patients with CMV infection were lower than those of controls(P＜0.05).Inversely,MBL levels of patients with acute respiratory infection and localized abscess were higher than those of controls (P＜O.05).Conclusion Genetic polymorphism of MBL gene is seemed to be relative to the sensitivity of common infections in children. 
 
Key words: 
Mannose/mannan-binding lectin ;  Genetic polymorphism ;  Children ;  Infection