Mannose-Binding Lectin and Mannose-Binding Lectin-Associated Serine Protease-2 Genotypes and Serum Levels in Patients with Sporotrichosis

Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) and MBL-associated serine protease-2 (MASP-2) are important proteins in the lectin pathway of the immune system. Mannose-binding lectin and MASP-2 deficiencies have been reported to be responsible for various fungal infections. We investigated the association of MBL and MASP-2 variants with sporotrichosis in a Chinese population and revealed one rare heterozygous mutation in a disseminated cutaneous patient without immunosuppressive conditions (MASP2, p.156_159dupCHNH). We also found that sporotrichosis patients had decreased levels of MBL and MASP-2 in their serum samples compared with controls. Our findings linked, for the first time, MASP-2 deficiencies with susceptibility to Sporothrix sp.