title: Serum levels of beta 2-microglobulin in HLA-B27+ patients with acute anterior uveitis and ankylosing spondylitis.
abstract: Serum levels of beta 2m were monitored in 89 HLA-B27+ patients with acute anterior uveitis (AAU) and in their first degree relatives. Serum levels of both patients and relatives were not elevated compared to sex and age matched controls. Neither the activity of the uveitis, nor the presence or absence of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), correlated with beta 2m levels. On the contrary, 6 of 27 HLA-B27- patients with AAU had elevated serum levels of beta 2m. These findings do not confirm previous reports which showed elevated serum levels of beta 2m in patients with AS. A possible role for beta 2m in the pathogenesis of HLA-B27+ AAU and AS is discussed.
authors: Netherlands Ophthalmic Research Institute, Amsterdam.
authors: M F
authors: MF
authors: Beersma
authors: P J
authors: PJ
authors: Derhaag
authors: T E
authors: TE
authors: Feltkamp
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D015796:HLA-B27 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D014606:Uveitis, Anterior / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015796:HLA-B27 Antigen; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin