Quantitative assessment of serum beta-2-microglobulin in liver transplant recipients and relationship to liver graft rejection.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the usefulness of serum beta 2-microglobulin determination in the diagnosis of acute liver allograft rejection.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
Liver transplant unit.


METHODS
Twenty consecutive patients who underwent liver transplantation because of a non-virus-related end-stage liver disease.


METHODS
Serum samples were collected before the transplant, at days 7, 30 and 90 and whenever a clinical complication developed after liver transplantation. beta 2-Microglobulin was quantified using a new quantitative automated microparticle enzyme immunoassay.


RESULTS
Serum beta 2-microglobulin levels increased significantly (P < 0.05) during rejection episodes and correlated with the degree of hepatocyte injury as assessed using serum aspartate aminotransferase levels. Increased beta 2-microglobulin levels were also found in surgical or infectious post-transplant complications. A significant difference in beta 2-microglobulin values was recorded between patients with rejection and only those with bacterial sepsis.


CONCLUSIONS
Although highly sensitive in recognizing damage to the graft, determination of beta 2-microglobulin was not sufficiently specific to differentiate between rejection and other post-transplantation complications.
Vivarelli
M
M
Institute of Liver Studies, King's College School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, UK.
Smith
H M
HM
Naoumov
N V
NV
Williams
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000378:metabolism*
D015415:Biomarkers; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin