title: L-ficolin in children with recurrent respiratory infections.
abstract: The lectin pathway of complement activation is used by a collectin, mannan-binding lectin (MBL), and two ficolins, L-ficolin and H-ficolin, to opsonize microorganisms for phagocytosis. We published evidence recently that MBL insufficiency is associated with recurrent respiratory infections in childhood. We have now measured serum L-ficolin in 313 respiratory infection patients and 74 healthy control children. L-ficolin concentrations below the lower limit of the control group were found in 6% of the patients (P <0.02) and were associated most strongly with children having co-existing atopic disorders (11%; P=0.002). We suggest that L-ficolin may have a role in protection from microorganisms complicating allergic disease.
authors.affiliation: Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service, National Science Laboratory, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.
authors.forename: A P M
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Atkinson
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cedzynski
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Szemraj
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: St Swierzko
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bak-Romaniszyn
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Banasik
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zeman
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Matsushita
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Kilpatrick
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000276:immunology; D007223:Infant; D037102:Lectins / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D037601:Mannose-Binding Lectin / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D012008:Recurrence; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D000097604:Ficolins
chemical_list: D037102:Lectins; D037601:Mannose-Binding Lectin; D000097604:Ficolins