Diagnostic and prognostic significance of beta 2-microglobulin during HIV infection.
The serum levels of beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-m) were determined in 80 intravenous drug addicts (IVDA) with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), in 128 HIV-positive IVDA with persistent generalized lymphadenopathy (PGL) and in 44 HIV-seronegative IVDA. Seventy-two out of 80 (90%) AIDS patients had elevated serum beta 2-m levels and high levels of beta 2-m were also found in 105 of 128 (82%) HIV-infected subjects without AIDS. The mean beta 2-m level was significantly higher in HIV-infected patients with PGL than in HIV-negative IVDA. Nine out of 64 (14%) PGL patients developed AIDS in a period of 24-54 months. In these patients the mean beta 2-m level (5.16 +/- 2.37 mg/l), obtained from sera stored at the first observation, was significantly higher than in the other PGL patients (3.40 +/- 1.03 mg/l); in particular, 5 out of 7 PGL patients with beta 2-m levels greater than 5.0 mg/l showed an advanced disease.
Laboratorio di Analisi, Ospedale S. Giovanni Bosco, Torino.
G
G
Cavalli
S
S
Lopez
F
F
Franzetti
M C
MC
Amprimo
P
P
Ronchi
P
P
Cinque
P
P
Rivera
P C
PC
Gaido
A
A
Lazzarin
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000097:blood; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000032:analysis*
D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin