Might there be a link between mannose-binding lectin polymorphism and dental caries?

The aim of this study is to analyze two polymorphisms in exon 1 of Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) gene in children with carious teeth and children caries-free in order to determine the frequencies of these polymorphisms and to investigate possible association between MBL polymorphisms and dental caries. Fourty-two children with carious teeth and 40 children caries-free participated in the Study. Two-hundred microliters of peripheral blood samples were taken in EDTA tubes and genomic DNA was isolated. PCR-RFLP method was used with BanI and Wolf digestion enzymes. The overall distribution of genotypes did not significantly differ between two groups and there was also no significant difference in the allele frequency of codon 54 wild type (allele A) (p = 0.884, p = 0.585). It has been concluded that further investigations may be required to show possible association between MBL and dental caries in which high number healthy children are participated. (c) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.