title: Mannose-binding lectin plasma levels and gene polymorphisms in Plasmodium falciparum malaria.
abstract: The contribution of mannose-binding lectin (MBL) to protection from malaria was assessed by comparing plasma concentrations of MBL and the frequency of MBL gene polymorphisms in groups of Gabonese children participating in a prospective study of severe and mild malaria due to infection with Plasmodium falciparum. At admission, a higher proportion of patients with severe malaria had a low level of MBL compared with subjects with mild malaria (0.35 vs. 0.19, P = .02). Two mutations in codons 54 and 57 of the MBL gene were detected. They were present at higher frequency in those with severe malaria (0.45 vs. 0.31, P = .04). These results suggest that deficient innate immune responses, in the form of low MBL levels, may be a risk factor for severe malaria in some young children who lack well-developed, clinically protective acquired immune responses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, University of Tübingen, Germany.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Luty
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Kun
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Kremsner
mesh_terms: D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002675:Child, Preschool; D037222:Collectins; D005260:Female; D005681:Gabon; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic
chemical_list: D002352:Carrier Proteins; D037222:Collectins