Abstract

 Background and Objectives

  Beta-2 microglobulin ( β 2MG) is the light chain of Histocompatibility–Class I human antigen and its normal range is <3mg/ml. β 2MG level in sera of hepatitis B patients increases. In Hepatitis infection the presentation of the viral antigen on the hepatocyte in the presence of Class I HLA antigen plays a major role in the elimination of the virus.

  Materials and Methods

  In this descriptive study, s β 2MG, HBsAg (by ELISA), and HBV DNA (by PCR) were evaluated in sera of 49 patients with hepatitis B and 35 subjects in control group .

 Results

  Our results showed HbsAg was positive in all patients. 29 of patients were HBV-DNA-PCR positive and 20 HBV-DNA-PCR negative. β 2MG in all subjects in control group was in normal range and in 34.7% of patients above normal limit. β 2MG in HBV-DNA-PCR positive patients was higher than HBV DNA PCR negative patients. Such differences were significant (p < 0.05) .

 Conclusions

  It seems S β 2MG is a good marker for HBV replication and its absence may exclude HBV replication. The role of β 2MG in monitoring response to therapy needs to be further evaluated.

 Key words: Hepatitis B virus, HBsAg , β 2MG (beta - 2 microglobulin), PCR , ELISA