Mannose Binding Lectin Levels Was Not Associated with Resistance to Tuberculosis Infection in the Population of Uyo Metropolis in Nigeria

Abstract

Mannose-binding lectin (MBL2) is an important pattern recognition molecule that identifies and binds to specific sugar molecules on the surface of pathogens thereby activating its destruction by the immune system. Samples for study were recruited from Uyo metropolis of Akwa Ibom state in Nigeria. In this study, levels of MBL2 was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in tuberculosis patients and healthy individuals to determine if the immune protein protects against tuberculosis infection. MBL2 levels in tuberculosis patients and healthy controls were 14.0ng/ml ± 13.9 and 19.9ng/ml ± 18.5 respectively. The results from the study showed that there was no association in MBL2 levels between tuberculosis and controls (p=0.107) as well as between the different sub-groups. Therefore, MBL2 is not a contributory factor in resistance against tuberculosis in the population under study.