Low levels of mannose-binding lectin do not affect occurrence of severe infections or duration of fever in acute myeloid leukaemia during remission induction therapy.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the clinical significance of low serum concentrations of mannose-binding lectin (MBL) in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) during initial cancer chemotherapy.


METHODS
80 consecutive, newly diagnosed, and unselected AML patients (age 18-77 yr) undergoing remission induction chemotherapy. The patients were examined for 28 d.


RESULTS
Low levels of serum MBL (<1,000 microg/L) were found in 16/80 patients at diagnosis. This frequency is similar to what is found in the general population. In the remaining 64 patients, MBL concentrations were significantly higher than in controls and showed only a slight rise during the period of antineoplastic chemotherapy with its associated infectious complications. Low levels of MBL did not affect overall survival or morbidity in terms of incidence or duration of fever, or occurrence of septicaemia or pneumonia. Long-term survival was likewise independent of MBL concentration.


CONCLUSIONS
MBL levels have no discernible influence on the occurrence or course of infections in AML patients during the initial hospitalisation. The predominant immunodeficiency during this phase is the profound granulocytopenia, which also compromises important effector functions of MBL. The finding in most AML patients of elevated MBL concentrations on admission is most likely because of the role of MBL as an acute phase reactant.
Bergmann
Olav J
OJ
Department of Haematology, Copenhagen University Hospital/Herlev Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark. olbe@herlevhosp.kbhamt.dk
Christiansen
Michael
M
Laursen
Inga
I
Bang
Peter
P
Hansen
Niels Ebbe
NE
Ellegaard
Jørgen
J
Koch
Claus
C
Andersen
Vagn
V
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007239:Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D007951:Leukemia, Myeloid / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D037601:Mannose-Binding Lectin / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009017:Morbidity; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012074:Remission Induction / Q000379:methods; D015996:Survival Rate
D037601:Mannose-Binding Lectin