Diagnostic and prognostic significance of β₂-microglobulin during HIV infection

The serum levels of β₂-microglobulin (β₂-m) were determined in 80 intravenous drug addicts (IVDA) with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), in 128 HIV-positive IVDA with persistent generalized lymphadenopathy (PGL) and in 44 HIV-seronegative IVDA. Seventy-two out of 80 (90%) AIDS patients had elevated serum β₂-m levels and high levels of β₂-m were also found in 105 of 128 (82%) HIV-infected subjects without AIDS. The mean β₂-m level was significantly higher in HIV-infected patients with PGL than in HIV-negative IVDA. Nine out of 64 (14%) PGL patients developed AIDS in a period of 24-54 months. In these patients the mean β₂-m level (5.16±2.37 mg/1), obtained from sera stored at the first observation, was significantly higher than in the other PGL patients (3.40±1.03 mg/l); in particular, 5 out of 7 PGL patients with β₂-m levels >5.0 mg/l showed an advanced disease.