BETA-2-MICROGLOBULIN LEVELS IN HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS INFECTED SUBJECTS

We studied beta-2 microglobulin (β-2M) levels in 44 HIV infected subjects belonging to 3 clinical stages as well as in 25 healthy controls. The method used was a competition enzyme immunoassay. In this study, levels of β2-M were measured in two groups of HIV infected individuals, the asymptomatic and those with progressive and advanced disease, in order to affirm its role as a surrogate prognostic marker. It was found that mean β-2M levels were 1.28 mg/L in the controls (normal range 0-2.4 mg/L), 11.41 mg/L in the HIV infected subjects, 2.69 mg/L in the asymptomatic HIV infected, 12.14 mg/L in those with persistent generalized lymphadenopathy (PGL) and 39.29 mg/L in the patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. It was concluded that β-2M levels were significantly higher in the HIV infected as compared to the controls. Further, the levels were much higher in the HIV infected with progressive diseasc/PGL and highest in those who had developed AIDS. β-2M is an important surrogate serological marker useful in prognostication of disease process in the HIV infected. Advantages of measuring β-2M levels over p24 antigen detection and CD4 counts were highlighted.