title: Serum and urine beta-2-microglobulin and lysozyme concentrations in transplant rejection.
abstract: We conclude that serum and urinary beta-2-microglobulin concentrations are useful in the diagnosis of acute and chronic renal transplant rejection. In acute transplant rejection, serum elevation in beta-2-microglobulins usually precede a rise in the serum creatinine. Increased urinary beta-2-microglobulin concentrations and elevated fractional excretion of beta-2-microglobulin occur in both acute and chronic transplant rejection. The finding of massive and sustained beta-2-microglobulinuria following acute rejection may herald recurrent clinical rejection episodes and eventual graft loss. Finally, serum and urine lysozyme levels appear to be less sensitive than the beta-2-microglobulins for diagnosing rejection and are often spuriously elevated in the presence of systemic or urinary tract infection.
mesh_terms: D001609:Beta-Globulins / Q000378:metabolism*; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D006084:Graft Rejection; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D009113:Muramidase / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine
chemical_list: D001609:Beta-Globulins; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin; D003404:Creatinine; D009113:Muramidase