Mannose binding lectin gene mutations are associated with progression of liver disease in chronic hepatitis B infection

Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) plays an important role in immune defense. We examined the MBL gene mutations and MBL levels in Chinese hepatitis B and h epatitis C patients with and without symptomatic cirrhosis, We recruited 19 0 hepatitis B and C patients, and 117 normal Chinese as controls. Serum MBL levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. MBL gene mutati on at codons 52, 54, and 57 was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. In asymptomatic hepatitis B and C patients, there was no increase i n codons 52, 54, and 57 mutation, but the MBL levels were significantly low er than those in the controls. Codon 54 mutation rate was increased to 44.4 % (P = .007) in symptomatic hepatitis B cirrhosis and 65.3% (P = .0026) in patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). There was no increas e in codon 54 mutation rate in hepatitis B-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), In chronic hepatitis B infection, the odds ratio for an individual with codon 54 mutation to develop cirrhosis was 1.84 (95% CI: 1.21-2.81) an d to develop SEP was 4.58 (95% CI: 1.73-12.16). Chronic hepatitis B and hep atitis C infection lowered the MBL levels, probably by suppressing MBL prod uction. Codon 54 mutation of MBL was associated with progression of disease in chronic hepatitis B infection.