Differential recognition of obligate anaerobic bacteria by human mannose-binding lectin

Deficiency of the innate, humoral immune component mannose-binding lectin ( MBL) predisposes individuals to a variety of infections, but the importance of MBL in infection by anaerobes has not been addressed. The attachment of MBL to a wide range of anaerobic bacteria associated with human disease an d colonization was surveyed. The results suggest that for the species we ex amined, resistance to MBL binding may be associated with organisms that are more commonly pathogenic and that MBL binding to some bacteria may be phas e variable.