PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Sibel Zehra Aydin
AU  - Pamir Atagunduz
AU  - Nevsun Inanc
AU  - Muge Bicakcigil
AU  - Demet Tasan
AU  - Musa Temel
AU  - Haner Direskeneli
TI  - Mannose binding lectin levels in spondyloarthropathies.
DP  - 2007 Oct 01
TA  - The Journal of Rheumatology
PG  - 2075--2077
VI  - 34
IP  - 10
4099  - http://www.jrheum.org/content/34/10/2075.short
4100  - http://www.jrheum.org/content/34/10/2075.full
SO  - J Rheumatol2007 Oct 01; 34
AB  - OBJECTIVE: Mannose binding lectin (MBL), a member of the collectin family proteins, is a major molecule of the innate immune system; MBL deficiency is associated with increased susceptibility to infections. As gastrointestinal and genitourinary infections are suggested to be among the etiological factors of spondyloarthropathies (SpA), we investigated MBL deficiency in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and undifferentiated SpA (uSpA). METHODS: One hundred seven patients with AS, 43 patients with uSpA, and 74 healthy controls were studied. Disease activity, radiological scores, and demographic features were recorded. MBL levels were measured with standard ELISA kits. RESULTS: Median MBL levels in AS, uSpA, and controls were 2705 (range 0-5861) ng/ml, 2897 (36-7586) ng/ml, and 3468 (0-7950) ng/ml, respectively. No significant differences were observed in median MBL levels and the prevalence of MBL deficiency between the groups. Bath AS Radiological Index scores were not affected by MBL levels. However, although statistically not significant, radiographic damage quantified by modified Stoke AS Spine Score (mSASSS) was 3 times higher in AS patients with MBL deficiency. Disease activity, clinical picture, and therapies were not associated with MBL levels. CONCLUSION: In AS patients with MBL deficiency, there was a tendency towards a more severe radiographic progression detected by mSASSS.