title: Mannose-binding lectin serum levels are low in persons with clinically active coccidioidomycosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is a circulating collectin that is part of the innate immune response. We explored the serum levels of MBL in persons with different forms of coccidioidomycosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum MBL was measured by ELISA from samples obtained from healthy donors with immunity to Coccidioides, and those with various forms of active coccidioidomycosis. Blood cell specimens from a subgroup of subjects with active coccidioidomycosis were examined for single nucleotide polymorphisms of the MBL gene and promoter regions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The control group comprised 29 healthy immune subjects. Patient groups with active coccidioidomycosis consisted of 20 patients with symptomatic primary pulmonary coccidioidomycosis, 26 with non-meningeal disseminated coccidioidomycosis, and nine with coccidioidal meningitis. The group with active coccidioidomycosis was significantly older and more likely to be male than the control group (for both, P < 0.001). The mean +/- SEM level of serum MBL in the healthy controls was 169.4 +/- 28.6 ng/ml, significantly higher than the 79.2 +/- 10.9 ng/ml for all active groups (P < 0.001). Moreover, the active coccidioidomycosis group was significantly more likely to have serum MBL level <or=70 ng/ml compared to the control group (P = 0.001). Genetic analysis in 27 subjects with active coccidioidomycosis revealed marked variation based on race and ethnicity. Among a subgroup of 10 white, non-hispanic men with active coccidioidomycosis, there was a significant association between the H and P haplotypes and MBL levels <or=70 ng/ml (P < 0.036 and P < 0.035, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data suggest that there is an association between low serum MBL levels and symptomatic coccidioidomycosis.
authors.affiliation: The Valley Fever Center for Excellence, The University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ 85723, USA. nampel@email.arizona.edu
authors.forename: Neil M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Ampel
authors.forename: Sara O
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Dionne
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giblin
authors.forename: Abigail B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Podany
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Galgiani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003045:Coccidioides / Q000276:immunology; D003047:Coccidioidomycosis / Q000208:ethnology / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008172:Lung Diseases, Fungal / Q000208:ethnology / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D037601:Mannose-Binding Lectin / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D016921:Meningitis, Fungal / Q000208:ethnology / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / Q000235:genetics; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D037601:Mannose-Binding Lectin