Mannose-binding lectin gene polymorphism contributes to recurrence of infective exacerbation in patients with COPD.
BACKGROUND
Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) deficiency is associated with susceptibility to respiratory infections. We investigated the impact of MBL2 gene polymorphisms and MBL deficiency on the recurrence of infective exacerbation in patients with COPD.


METHODS
A prospective study was conducted among 215 patients with COPD and 137 healthy subjects. MBL deficiency was determined by the MBL2 gene polymorphisms and serum levels of MBL.


RESULTS
The average frequency of infective exacerbations over 3 years in the 215 patients with COPD was 2.5 ± 1.3 episodes. The COPD group with three or more episodes of infective exacerbation (recurrent exacerbators) included 96 patients, and the remaining 119 patients had two or fewer episodes (less-frequent exacerbators). Among the 96 recurrent exacerbators, 12 (12.50%) had the MBL deficiency genotype compared with 5 (4.20%) among the less-frequent exacerbators (OR, 3.25; 95% CI, 1.01-11.07; P = .0253). In recurrent exacerbators, the frequency of infective exacerbation was significantly higher in patients with MBL-deficient genotypes than in those with non-MBL-deficient genotypes (4.75 ± 1.22 vs 3.52 ± 0.78, respectively; P < .0001). In addition, mortality was significantly increased in recurrent exacerbators with MBL-deficient genotypes compared with those with non-MBL-deficient genotypes (66.7% vs 31.0%, respectively; P = .0153).


CONCLUSIONS
MBL deficiency due to MBL2 polymorphisms increases the risk of recurrent infective exacerbation and worsens its outcome in patients with COPD.
Lin
Chii-Lan
CL
Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
Siu
Leung-Kei
LK
Lin
Jung-Chung
JC
Liu
Chien-Ying
CY
Chian
Chih-Feng
CF
Lee
Chun-Nin
CN
Chang
Feng-Yee
FY
D000368:Aged; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D037601:Mannose-Binding Lectin / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics*; D012008:Recurrence; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics
D037601:Mannose-Binding Lectin; D004247:DNA