Mannose-Binding Lectin 2 Gene Polymorphism in PANDAS Patients.

INTRODUCTION

Pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS), a subgroup of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), has received much attention even though the specific underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is a key factor in the innate immune response. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of MBL2 gene polymorphisms in pediatric OCD patients diagnosed as PANDAS, PANDAS-Variant and non-PANDAS.

METHODS

The study included 102 pediatric OCD patients (59 [57.8% ] PANDAS, 20 [19.6% ] non-PANDAS, and 23 [22.5% ] PANDAS-Variant) and 60 healthy controls. Polymorphisms at codon 52, 54 and 57 of the MBL2 gene were investigated.

RESULTS

Codon 54 polymorphism and any variant of MBL2 gene were significantly more frequent in the OCD group than in the control group (OR=2.97, 95% CI: 1.26-6.97; and OR=2.66, 95% CI: 1.32-5.38, respectively). According to regression analysis, the presence of any variant of MBL2 gene was found in 14.50-fold increased frequency in the PANDAS subgroup compared with the non-PANDAS subgroup (95% CI: 2.49-84.19).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings support an association between MBL2 genotypes and pediatric OCD, particularly PANDAS-OCD.