Meningococcal disease in a kidney transplant recipient with mannose-binding lectin deficiency.
We describe the case of a kidney transplant recipient who developed meningococcemia, without meningeal signs, 2 months after transplantation. Plasma levels of complement components C3, C4, and CH 50 were within the normal range. However, using a method to screen for the functional activity of all 3 pathways of complement, no activation via the mannose-binding lectin (MBL) pathway could be detected (0%). A subsequent quantification of MBL pathway components revealed normal levels of MASP 2 but undetectable amounts of MBL. To our knowledge, this is the first report of meningococcal disease after organ transplantation in a patient with MBL deficiency.
Manuel
O
O
Infectious Diseases Service, Transplantation Center, University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland. Oriol.Manuel@chuv.ch
Tarr
P E
PE
Venetz
J-P
JP
Trendelenburg
M
M
Meylan
P R
PR
Pascual
M
M
D000328:Adult; D037582:Complement Pathway, Mannose-Binding Lectin / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D037601:Mannose-Binding Lectin / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000378:metabolism; D008589:Meningococcal Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D009345:Neisseria meningitidis / Q000276:immunology*; D011183:Postoperative Complications
D037601:Mannose-Binding Lectin