[The serum beta-2-microglobulin values in drug addicts with persistent generalized lymphadenopathy]

Serum beta 2-microglobulin levels (beta-2-M) were studied in 150 drug addicts, 50 of them asymptomatic carriers of anti HIV-1 antibodies, 50 symptomatic carriers with persistent generalized lymphadenopathy (P.G.L.) and 50 serum negative patients who had been living in a closed community for at least 2 years. The results showed increased beta-2-M in 24 P.G.L. patients (48%), in 6 of the asymptomatic serum positive cases (12%) and in 3 of the serum negative subjects (6%). No such increase was found in the selected control group. Statistical analysis using the chi-square test and one-way variance analysis gave a significant result. The data suggest that increased serum beta-2-M is essentially linked to the presence of P.G.L.