TY - JOUR T1 - Mannose-binding lectin and susceptibility to infection in Chinese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. JF - The Journal of Rheumatology JO - J Rheumatol SP - 1270 LP - 1276 VL - 34 IS - 6 AU - Mo Yin Mok AU - W K Eddie Ip AU - Chak Sing Lau AU - Yi Lo AU - Wilfred H S Wong AU - Yu Lung Lau Y1 - 2007/06/01 UR - http://www.jrheum.org/content/34/6/1270.abstract N2 - OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that low serum mannose-binding lectin (MBL) levels, as a result of the single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the promoter region (-221 X/Y) and exon 1 (codon 54 A/B) of the MBL2 gene, predispose to infection in Chinese patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: Two hundred forty-five patients with SLE were prospectively followed for the development of major infective episodes that required hospitalization and antibiotic treatment during 1992-2005. MBL genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction and serum MBL levels were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: In total, 254 major infections developed in 130 patients. Serum MBL levels were shown to correlate inversely with the number of bacterial infections (r = -0.13, p = 0.03). The distribution of MBL genotypes was similar in patients with and without major infection (p = 0.84). Patients with major infection also had more major lupus exacerbations that required daily prednisolone dose > or = 15 mg. Logistic regression showed that log MBL level (odds ratio 0.516, 95% confidence interval 0.305-0.873; p = 0.01) and major lupus exacerbation (OR 1.382, 95% CI 1.154-1.654; p < 0.001) were independent risk factors to major bacterial infection after adjustment for age and disease duration. Multiple regression analysis showed an increase in risk of bacterial infection by 34.2% for every decrease in serum MBL level by one log, and by 22.8% for each increase in number of major lupus exacerbations. CONCLUSION: Low serum MBL level predisposes Chinese patients with SLE to more major infections, in particular bacterial ones. ER -