Role played by human mannose-binding lectin polymorphisms in pulmonary tuberculosis.
BACKGROUND
Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) activates the complement system in an antibody-independent manner, enhances complement-mediated phagocytosis, and plays a major role in the regulation of inflammatory cytokine release by monocytes.


METHODS
Case patients (277 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis) and control subjects (288 household contacts) were tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for polymorphisms at the promoter and the exon 1 regions of the MBL gene. Diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis, based on findings from chest radiography and sputum smear examination, was confirmed by PCR and bacteriological tests.


RESULTS
HYA/HYA subjects were protected against tuberculosis (odds ratio [OR], 0.09 [95% confidence interval {CI}], 0.023-0.408; P < 1 X 10 (-6)). LYB/LYD subjects were susceptible to disease (OR, 49 [95% CI, 2.9-812.5]; P < 1 X 10(-6)).


CONCLUSIONS
This study supports the conclusion that MBL can protect or predispose the host to tuberculosis, depending on the host's haplotype pair.
Capparelli
Rosanna
R
Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
Iannaccone
Marco
M
Palumbo
Daniela
D
Medaglia
Chiara
C
Moscariello
Emilio
E
Russo
Alfredo
A
Iannelli
Domenico
D
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006239:Haplotypes; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D037601:Mannose-Binding Lectin / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000235:genetics*
D037601:Mannose-Binding Lectin