Background: Infections are usually involved in the pathogenesis of spondyloarthritis (SpA). Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is a component of the innate immune system with an important role in microbial defense.
Objective: To study the prevalence of MBL deficiency in SpA patients as well as its influence in the clinical profile of these diseases.
Methods: We studied 89 SpA patients and 89 healthy individuals, paired for age and gender. MBL serum levels were measured by ELISA test. Individuals with levels ≤100 ng/mL were considered deficient. SpA patients had determination of Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS)-CRP, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), C reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and review of their clinical profile.
Results: SpA patients had MBL levels ranging from 100 to 4100 ng/mL (median = 375 ng/mL); controls levels ranged from 100 to 4703 ng/mL (median = 1204 ng/mL; p < 0.0001). The prevalence of MBL deficiency was 27/89 (30.3%) in SpA patients and 12/89 (13.5%) in controls, with p = 0.01; OR = 2.5 (95% IC = 1.2-5.3). No association/correlation was found between MBL levels with BASDAI, BASFI, age at disease onset, ASDAS-CRP, ESR, CRP, presence of uveitis, HLAB27, peripheral arthritis, or SpA subtype (all p = NS).
Conclusion: MBL levels may be linked with the occurrence of SpA but do not influence its phenotype.
Keywords: Complement; MBL; deficiency; spondyloarthritis.