Serum beta-2 microglobulin levels in homosexual men with AIDS and with persistent, generalized lymphadenopathy

In order to investigate the nature of the immune disorders associated with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and the AIDS-related condition of persistent, generalized lymphadenopathy (PGL), serum beta-2 microglobulin (beta 2-M) levels were determined in patients with AIDS and PGL and in asymptomatic homosexual and heterosexual controls. Sixteen of 20 (80%) patients with AIDS exhibited elevated beta 2-M levels. In contrast, 20 of 44 (45%) patients with PGL, 4 of 20 (20%) asymptomatic homosexuals, and only 3 of 46 (7%) heterosexuals had increased serum beta 2-M levels (P less than 0.001). When considering mean levels of beta 2-M, only the asymptomatic control individuals had normal values. AIDS patients had significantly higher mean beta 2-M levels when compared to all other groups (P less than 0.05). The mean level for PGL patients was greater than that in the homosexual and heterosexual controls (P less than 0.05). No relationship was found between presence of antibody to human T-lymphotropic retrovirus (HTLV-III) and beta 2-M levels in the patients with AIDS or PGL. The authors conclude that beta 2-M is elevated in patients with AIDS and PGL, suggesting an increased turnover of a certain subpopulation of lymphocytes in these patients. Beta 2-M levels also appear to parallel disease activity, as well as immune dysfunction, with the greatest elevation occurring in patients with AIDS, followed by those with PGL, and asymptomatic homosexuals. Beta 2-M levels may be a useful confirmatory marker in AIDS and its related disorders.