title: Beta-2 microglobulin as a marker of HIV disease status in Nairobi, Kenya.
abstract: Serum beta-2 microglobulin (beta 2-M) has prognostic value similar to lymphocyte profiles for predicting disease progression in those infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However, the relationship between beta 2-M and HIV disease progression among inhabitants of countries with endemic tropical diseases has not been evaluated. To determine the relationship between serum beta 2-M levels and HIV infection and disease status in an African population, serum beta 2-M levels were measured in 369 patients attending a sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic in Nairobi, Kenya. Mean serum beta 2-M was significantly higher in HIV seropositive than in HIV seronegative individuals. Among HIV infected patients, higher mean beta 2-M levels were observed in those with HIV associated symptoms or laboratory markers of advanced HIV disease. Significant inverse correlations between beta 2-M and the percentage of CD4 lymphocytes or CD4/CD8 ratio were found. These findings suggest that beta 2-M measurements may have prognostic value for HIV infected populations in developing countries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Washington, Seattle 98195.
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Garden
authors.forename: G B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Moss
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Emonyi
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bwayo
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Velentgas
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kreiss
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin