Scientific Journal of

  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

 Abstract

  Background and Objectives

  Beta-2 microglobulin ( b 2MG) is a low weight molecular protein (mol wt: 11800) synthesized by all nucleated cells and originally isolated from human urine in patients with renal failure. Increased b 2MG levels have been reported in rejection of transplantation, in patients with lymphocytic leukemia, hematological malignant disease and especially in patients with multiple myeloma. The aim of this study is to evaluate serum b 2MG and some related factors in patients with monoclonal and polyclonal gammapathy.

  Materials and Methods

  This study is a cross - sectional study and we select patients by non - random method. We studied 8 patients with gammapathy for 3 months. They were 10-26 years old. Serum b 2MG concentration was measured by ELISA method and serum CRP was done by qualitative latex method. Serum creatinine level was measured according to colotimetric Jaffe reaction. The separation of serum globulins was conducted by cellulose acetate protein electrophoresis. Immunoglobulin levels were measured by Radial Immunodiffusion (RID) method. We use SPSS statistic program and spearmen's index (Rho) to estimate correlation between parameters in this study.

  Results

  Serum b 2MG levels increased in 87.5% of patients with monoclonal gammapathy. Serum CRP levels also increased in patients with monoclonal gammapathy. According to statistical results, there was a high correlation between increased CRP and b 2MG levels in patients (Rho=0.693, p<0.05). However, serum b 2MG and creatinine levels both had been increased only in 40% of patients. In evaluation of serum protein electrophoresis, in one patient with renal failure, there was a sharp peak in gamma globulin region.

  Conclusions

  This study indicated that quantitative measurement of serum creatinine, serum b 2MG, serum CRP and evaluation of monoclonal band in serum protein electrophoresis can be strong factors for staging the disease and predicting the survival and prognosis in patients with monoclonal gammapathy. So evaluation of these factors is recommended for follow up of patients in relapse and remission stages. It is better to further evaluate and study the main role of these factors in predicting and diagnosing multiple myeloma as well.

  Key words: Monoclonal gammapathy, Beta2 microglobulin, C-Reactive Protein (CRP), Creatinine, Electrophoresis, Immunoglobulin