title: Beta 2-microglobulin and neopterin: predictive markers for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection in children?
abstract: The value of beta 2-microglobulin and neopterin concentrations in serum for early diagnosis of infants born to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected mothers was assessed. Concentrations of both markers were measured in serum samples from pediatric patients (Centers for Disease Control classifications P0, P1, and P2), as well as in age-matched normal subjects. Both beta 2-microglobulin and neopterin were significantly increased in HIV-1-infected symptomatic subjects (P2) compared to controls. Seventy-five percent of asymptomatic patients (P1) also had increased values. On the other hand, a significant overlap in concentrations of both markers in serum was found between controls and P0 patients. Thirty-eight percent of the P0 patients had values comparable to those of the P2 group. Persistently high concentrations of both markers in P0 patients may be indicative of HIV-1 infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, D.C. 20010.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Campos
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Josephs
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rifai
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001708:Biopterins / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000635:transmission; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D019798:Neopterin; D011247:Pregnancy; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin; D001708:Biopterins; D019798:Neopterin