Serum beta2-microglobulin as a marker of congenital toxoplasmosis and cytomegalovirus infection in preterm neonates.
BACKGROUND
Fetal serum beta(2)-microglobulin (beta(2)M) has been reported as a reliable indicator of fetal infectious diseases.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate serum beta(2)M as a marker of congenital toxoplasmosis or cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in neonates.


METHODS
beta(2)M was retrospectively measured in 72 neonatal serum samples from preterm neonates. Of these, 32 originated from neonates with serological evidence of congenital toxoplasmosis (n = 12) and CMV infection (n = 20), while 40 samples from neonates in which both infections were serologically excluded served as controls. beta(2)M levels were compared between the infection and control groups.


RESULTS
Mean (+/-SEM) beta(2)M levels were significantly higher in the groups of neonates infected with Toxoplasma (5.64 +/- 0.61 mg/l) (p = 0.014) and CMV (6.06 +/- 0.66 mg/l) (p < 0.0001) than in the control group (3.80 +/- 0.2). Against the cut-off level of 5 mg/l, beta(2)M was normal in 36 of the 40 uninfected neonates examined, indicating a specificity of 90%. In contrast, it was elevated in 66.7% (8/12) and 65% (13/20) of the Toxoplasma and CMV-infected neonates, respectively, indicating an overall sensitivity of 66%.


CONCLUSIONS
In the absence of urogenital disorders, an increase in beta(2)M in neonates is likely to be infection-induced. We showed that serum beta(2)M is increased in congenital toxoplasmosis and CMV infection in the first weeks of life.
Nesović-Ostojić
J
J
Institute for Pathophysiology, University of Belgrade School of Medicine, Belgrade, Serbia. olgicadj@imi.bg.ac.yu
Klun
I
I
Vujanić
M
M
Trbovich
A
A
Djurković-Djaković
O
O
D000818:Animals; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000254:growth & development*; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000097:blood* / Q000151:congenital*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000254:growth & development*; D014125:Toxoplasmosis, Congenital / Q000097:blood*; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000097:blood*
D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin