Mannose binding lectin codon 54 polymorphism and susceptibility to recurrent respiratory tract infections in children: A meta-analysis

BackgroundThere have been studies focused on mannose binding lectin (MBL) polymorphism and susceptibility to recurrent respiratory tract infections (RRTI) with inconclusive results. This present study is a meta-analysis of possible MBL and RRTI association in children.MethodsA literature search was performed using Medline and PubMed and abstracts were reviewed for relevance. Any study was considered to be eligible for inclusion if it met the following criteria: the MBL gene polymorphism at codon 54 was determined, the outcome was recurrent respiratory tract infection in children and there were at least two comparison groups. The odds ratios(OR) of the genetic MBL polymorphisms were combined and calculated, and the forest plots of the OR value distributions were drawn. Chi-squared testing of heterogeneity was done (p < 0.001).ResultsFive eligible studies were included in the study. There has been heterogeneity between the studies (p = 0.001). Our results did not show any association between MBL genotypes AA, BB, AB, alleles A and B and RRTI.ConclusionsOur meta-analysis of accessible, published data has demonstrated no statistically significant association between MBL2 genotype and recurrent respiratory tract infection in children.Summary of the article's main pointHere are discrepancies regarding the importance of MBL polymorphism and its impact on recurrent respiratory tract infections. Our meta analysis did not find statistically significant association between MBL codon 54 polymorphism and recurrent respiratory tract infection in children.