Background: Evidence suggests that genetic variations of exon 1 of mannose-binding lectin 2 (MBL2) may contribute to tuberculosis (TB) risk. Many studies have investigated the association between MBL2 exon 1 polymorphisms (rs1800450, rs1800451, and rs5030737) and TB risk, but yielded inconclusive results. 
Method: We conducted this meta-analysis of 26 eligible case–control studies that included 7952 cases and 9328 controls to identify the strength of association. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% CI were used to evaluate the strength of association. Statistical analyses were performed by using STATA 12.1.
Results: We found a statistically significant correlation between MBL2 exon 1 polymorphisms and increased TB risk among three models: allele model (O vs A: OR =1.18, 95% CI: 1.01–1.38, P _{heterogeneity}<0.0001, I ²=85.8%), homozygote comparison (OO vs AA: OR =1.49, 95%CI: 1.02–2.18, P _{heterogeneity}<0.0001, I ²=79.1%), dominant model (AO/OO vs AA: OR =1.20, 95% CI: 1.01–1.43, P _{heterogeneity}<0.0001, I ²=83.5%), especially in studies based on Asian populations among five models: allele model (O vs A: OR =1.29, 95% CI: 1.11–1.51, P _{heterogeneity}<0.0001, I ²=66.0%), homozygote comparison (OO vs AA: OR =1.67, 95% CI: 1.09–2.55, P _{heterogeneity}=0.008, I ²=54.2%), heterozygote comparison (AO vs AA: OR =1.26, 95% CI: 1.05–1.50, P _{heterogeneity}=0.001, I ²=62.9%), dominant model (AO/OO vs. AA: OR =1.31, 95% CI: 1.10–1.56, P _{heterogeneity}=0.001, I ²=64.2%), and recessive model (OO vs AO/AA: OR =1.50, 95% CI: 1.01–2.22, P _{heterogeneity}=0.023, I ²=48.0%). Meta-regression results revealed that source of controls (p =0.009), but not ethnicity (p =0.687), genotyping method (p =0.231), and sample size (p =0.451) contributed to the source of heterogeneity.
Conclusion: This meta-analysis suggests that MBL2 exon 1 polymorphisms may contribute to TB risk, especially in Asian populations.
Keywords: MBL2, rs1800450, rs1800451, rs5030737, tuberculosis, polymorphisms