A low serum concentration of mannan-binding protein is not associated with serogroup B or C meningococcal disease.
The mammalian C-type serum lectin, mannan-binding protein (MBP), may induce C1q- and antibody-independent activation of the classical pathway of complement. Accordingly, MBP is considered as a member of the complement system. Complement deficiencies have been found with increased frequency in patients with meningococcal disease. Therefore, we investigated the MBP levels in patients with meningococcal disease. Ninety-nine Norwegian individuals (age 12-21 years) who survived severe systemic disease caused by serogroup B or C meningococci were investigated. No significant differences were observed in the MBP concentration between patients with serogroup B (n = 76) or C (n = 25) disease and healthy blood donor controls (n = 40) (P > 0.05). The frequency of patients with low levels of MBP (< 100 micrograms/l) was 10.1%. This was not different from controls (12.5%). Thus, low MBP concentrations do not appear to predispose to serogroup B or C meningococcal disease.
Garred
P
P
Department of Clinical Immunology, Rigshospitalet University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Michaelsen
T E
TE
Bjune
G
G
Thiel
S
S
Svejgaard
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D002648:Child; D037222:Collectins; D006801:Humans; D037102:Lectins / Q000097:blood*; D008585:Meningitis, Meningococcal / Q000097:blood*; D008589:Meningococcal Infections / Q000097:blood*
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D037222:Collectins; D037102:Lectins