ABSTRACT
Experiments indicate that mannan-binding lectin (MBL) functions as a complement activating protein in the innate immune defense. This is supported by clinical observations implicating its role in the defense against severe infections in children and adults [1-3]. The binding of MBL to micro-
organisms has been intensively studied and include many human pathogens [4-6]. In the following sections, we have attempted to collect and discuss most of the published studies on MBL defi ciency and susceptibility to infections. For discussions of association of MBL defi ciency with other diseases, we refer to other recent reviews [7-10].
