title: Serum beta 2-microglobulin and human immunodeficiency virus infection.
abstract: Serum beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-M) was measured in two prospectively evaluated groups of homosexual men in 1983 and 1985. Serum beta 2-M was raised in 64% of patients with HIV infection, but in only 6.7% of uninfected homosexuals. Depression of the total lymphocyte count was only clinically useful when it reached less than 1.0 X 10(9)/l. In further studies all patients with AIDS and AIDS-related complex (ARC) had raised levels of serum beta 2-M. Mean levels of beta 2-M did not differ between patients with persistent generalized lymphadenopathy (PGL) and asymptomatic HIV-infected patients. Raised serum levels of beta 2-M accompanied major immune dysfunction in HIV infection. Serum beta 2-M levels of greater than 3.0 mg/l in HIV-infected homosexual men were associated with progression to AIDS.
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006678:HIV / Q000276:immunology; D015483:HIV Antibodies; D006716:Homosexuality; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008214:Lymphocytes; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D015483:HIV Antibodies; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin