title: A longitudinal study of serum beta 2-microglobulin levels in haemophilia.
abstract: Serum beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-m) levels were measured in 75 adults with haemophilia A. Beta 2-microglobulin was found to be significantly elevated in haemophiliacs compared with the non-haemophiliac population. There was a greater rise in beta 2-m in HIV antibody-positive haemophiliacs. No further significant increase occurred in the subgroup with HIV-related disease but all these patients had beta 2-m levels greater than or equal to 3 mg/l. Over the study period of 18 months no significant increase in beta 2-m was documented in either HIV antibody-negative or -positive groups. Beta 2-microglobulin was elevated in HIV antibody-negative subjects with raised transaminase levels. No correlation was found between beta 2-m and the amount of factor VIII concentrate infused, T-cell subsets, thrombocytopenia or age. It is concluded that probable reasons for elevated beta 2-m levels in haemophiliacs include infection with HIV and other viruses, chronic liver disease, and repeated antigenic challenge from multiple infusions of factor VIII. The role of serial measurement of beta 2-m in haemophiliacs with a view to predicting the onset of HIV-related disease warrants further study.
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, St James's University Hospital, Leeds.
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Howard
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: McVerry
authors.forename: E H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Cooper
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000032:analysis; D005169:Factor VIII / Q000097:blood; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D015483:HIV Antibodies; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin; D005169:Factor VIII