title: The role of mannose-binding lectin in susceptibility to infection in preterm neonates.
abstract: Preterm neonates are susceptible to infection due to a combination of sub-optimal immunity and increased exposure to invasive organisms. Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is a component of the innate immune system, which may be especially important in the neonatal setting. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of MBL on susceptibility and severity of infection in preterm neonates during their first month of life. One hundred fifty eight preterm neonates were genotyped for MBL mutations by heteroduplex analyses. Consecutive serum MBL levels were measured by ELISA and clinical and laboratory data, including blood cultures, were collected for each baby. A third of the premature neonates had genetically determined MBL deficiency. In addition, MBL levels were also low in the first week of life and lower in neonates with a wild type genotype who were less than 28 wk gestation or a birth weight of less than 1000 g, thereby increasing the number of neonates with a low MBL level at birth. MBL deficiency was associated with an increased risk of sepsis (p < 0.01). This study indicates that MBL levels are low in neonates at birth and renders premature neonates to an increased risk of infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, University College London, WC1N 3JN, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Agnieszka B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Dzwonek
authors.forename: Olaf W
authors.initials: OW
authors.lastname: Neth
authors.forename: Rodolphe
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Thiébaut
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gulczynska
authors.forename: Marcia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chilton
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hellwig
authors.forename: Mona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bajaj-Elliott
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hawdon
authors.forename: Nigel J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Klein
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005787:Gene Frequency; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D052577:Infant, Extremely Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D008131:London; D037601:Mannose-Binding Lectin / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics*; D010641:Phenotype; D011044:Poland; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D018805:Sepsis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; C445619:MBL2 protein, human; D037601:Mannose-Binding Lectin