MBL2 and infection: Functional mannose-binding lectin (MBL) deficiency, caused by single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the coding region of the MBL2 gene, has been associated with increased susceptibility to infections in young children and immunocompromised individuals (Sumiya et al., 1991; Garred et al., 1997; Summerfield et al., 1997; Neth et al., 2001; Peterslund et al., 2001).