RESUMO
As beta 2 microglobulin (B2M) has been found to be elevated in immunological disorders and also in HIV infection, its levels were studied in 475 HIV seropositive, asymptomatic persons; 101 HIV seronegative persons from high risk groups for HIV and 99 healthy controls. The B2M levels in asymptomatic HIV seropositives are found to be significantly higher than healthy controls (1.0 mg/1 to 2.7 mg/1, P less than 0.001) and HIV seronegatives from high risk groups (1.1 mg/1 to 2.7 mg/1, P less than 0.001). Two hundred and thirty four (49.26%) seropositives showed increased levels of serum B2M. Thus, quantitative analysis of B2M may be useful as an early nonspecific marker of HIV infection and immune dysfunction. The prognostic value of B2M was assessed in a follow up study of 54 HIV seropositives in a 2 yr period. Within this period, B2M levels were found to be significantly increased in these subjects (1.2 mg/1 to 4.6 mg/1, P less than 0.001). Three of the subjects who showed high increase in the B2M levels, progressed to AIDS-related condition, whereas one progressed to persistent generalised lymphadenopathy. Thus, the rising levels of B2M appears to correlate well with disease progression.