Serum levels of mannose-binding lectin and the risk of fever in neutropenic pediatric cancer patients

Background. Fever in neutropenia (FN) is a frequent complication in pediatric oncology. Deficiency of mannose-binding lectin (MBL), an important component of innate immunity, is common due to genetic polymorphisms, but its impact on infections in oncologic patients is controversial. This study investigated whether MBL serum levels at cancer diagnosis are associated with the development of FN in pediatric cancer patients. Procedure. Serum MBL was measured using ELISA. Frequency, duration, and cause of FN were assessed retrospectively. Association with MBL level was analyzed using uni- and multivariate Poisson regression taking into account both intensity and duration of chemotherapy. Results. In 94 children, with a cumulative follow-up time of 81.7 years, 177 FN episodes were recorded. Patients with both very low MBL levels