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Serum beta‐2 microglobulin levels in homosexual men with aids and with persistent, generalized lymphadenopathy
Author(s) -
Burkes Ronald L.,
Sherrod Andy E.,
Stewart Mary L.,
Gill Parkash S.,
Aguilar Scott,
Taylor Clive R.,
Krailo Mark D.,
Levine Alexandra M.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(19860601)57:11<2190::aid-cncr2820571118>3.0.co;2-y
Subject(s) - asymptomatic , medicine , beta 2 microglobulin , beta (programming language) , aids related complex , immunopathology , immune system , human t lymphotropic virus , immunology , antibody , generalized lymphadenopathy , gastroenterology , viral disease , disease , virus , myelopathy , psychiatry , computer science , spinal cord , programming language
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 (β 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 β‐M levels. In contrast, 20 of 44 (45%) patients with PGL, 4 of 20 (20%) asymptomatic homosexuals, and only 3 of 46 (7%) heterosexuals bad increased serum β 2 ‐M levels ( P <0.001). When considering mean levels of β 2 ‐M, only the asymptomatic control individuals had normal values. AIDS patients had significantly higher mean β 2 ‐M levels when compared to all other groups ( P <0.05). The mean level for PGL patients was greater than that in the homosexual and heterosexual controls ( P <0.05). No relationship was found between presence of antibody to human T‐lymphotropic retrovirus (HTLV‐III) and β 2 ‐M levels in the patients with AIDS or PGL. The authors conclude that β 2 ‐M is elevated in patients with AIDS and PGL, suggesting an increased turnover of a certain subpopulation of lymphocytes in these patients. β 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. β 2 ‐M levels may be a useful confirmatory marker in AIDS and its related disorders.