The objective of this study was to explore the genetic polymorphisms and serum protein levels of MBL in Chinese pediatric patients with common infectious diseases, including recurrent respiratory infection (RRI), acute respiratory infection (ARI), active cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, localized abscess, and otitis media.
A hemolytic bystander assay was used to assess the functional serum mannose-binding lectin (MBL) activating capacity of five isolates of Moraxella catarrhalis obtained from children who suffered recurrent acute otitis media episodes.
Moreover, genetic polymorphisms associated with low MBP plasma levels were investigated in DNA from nasopharyngeal tonsils of 89 children with recurrence of otitis media.