Beta2 microglobulin as a surrogate marker for HIV infection: good correlation with CD4 counts.
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2004-04-22
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To determine if beta-2 microglobulin (beta2M) levels were elevated in our HIV infected patient population and if it could be used as a surrogate marker for disease progression. Thirty-eight HIV infected individuals and 26 age and sex-matched controls were studied. Measurement of CD4 cell count was carried out on a flowcytometer using anti-human CD4 monoclonal antibody and beta2M was measured by an enzyme immunoassay. Mean levels of HIV infected individuals were 1.29 +/- 0.52 mg/L and were significantly higher than 0.74 +/- 0.07 mg/L, the value of controls (p value <0.01). There was a negative correlation between CD4 counts and beta2M levels (r-value-0.79, p value <0.001). Beta2M levels in HIV infected individuals who have no opportunistic infection are elevated and these levels correlate with the CD4 counts. Beta2M can be used for the clinical follow-up of patients with HIV infection.
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Wanchu A, Arora S, Bhatnagar A, Sud A, Bambery P, Singh S. Beta2 microglobulin as a surrogate marker for HIV infection: good correlation with CD4 counts. Indian Journal of Pathology & Microbiology. 2004 Apr; 47(2): 298-301