Sorted By Test Name - Mayo Medical Laboratories

B2MU
300243
B2M
9234
Livanainen M, Poitainen E, et al: CSF and serum beta 2 microglobulin in HIV infection related to
neurological dysfunction. Acta Neurol Scand 1989;79(2):81-87 6. Dolan MF, Lucey DR, Hendrix CW, et
al: Early markers of HIV infection and subclinical disease progression. Vaccine 1993;11(5):548-551 7.
Brew BJ, Bhalla RB, Fleisher M, et al: Cerebrospinal fluid beta 2 microglobulin in patients infected with
human immunodeficiency virus. Neurology 1989;39(6):830-834 8. Musto P, Tomasi P, Cascavilla N, et
al: Significance and limits of cerebrospinal fluid beta 2 microglobulin measurement in course of acute
lymphoblastic leukemia. American Journal of Hematology 1988;28(4):213-218 9. Lucey DR, McGuire
SA, Clerici M, et al: Comparison of spinal fluid beta 2-microglobulin levels with CD4 + T cell count, in
vitro T helper cell function, and spinal fluid IgG parameters in 163 neurologically normal adults infected
with the human immunodeficiency virus type l. J Infect Dis 1991;163:971 10. Bjerrum L, Bach F,
Zeeberg I: Increased level of cerebrospinal fluid beta 2 microglobulin is related to neurologic impairment
in multiple sclerosis. Acta Neurol Scand 1988;78:72-75
Beta-2-Microglobulin (B-2-M), Urine
Clinical Information: Beta-2-microglobulin is a low-molecular-weight protein that forms the light
chain component of class I histocompatibility (HLA [human leukocyte antigen]) antigens. Increased urine
levels are seen in proximal tubular renal damage due to a variety of causes, including cadmium, mercury,
lithium, or aminoglycoside toxicity; pyelonephritis; and Balkan nephropathy, a chronic interstitial
nephritis of unknown etiology.
Useful For: Evaluation of renal tubular damage Monitoring exposure to cadmium and mercury
Interpretation: Increased excretion is consistent with renal tubular damage. Beta-2-microglobulin
excretion is increased 100 to 1,000 times normal levels in cadmium-exposed workers.
Reference Values:
< or =300 mcg/L
Clinical References: 1. Ikeda M, Ezaki T, Tsukahara T, et al: Threshold levels of urinary cadmium
in relation to increases in urinary beta2-microglobulin among general Japanese populations. Toxicol Lett
2003 Feb 3;137(3):135-141 2. Moriguchi J, Ezaki T, Tsukahara T, et al: Comparative evaluation of four
urinary tubular dysfunction markers, with special references to the effects of aging and correction for
creatinine concentration. Toxicol Lett 2003 Aug 28;143(3):279-290 3. Stefanovic V, Cukuranovic R,
Mitic-Zlatkovic M, Hall PW: Increased urinary albumin excretion in children from families with Balkan
nephropathy. Pediatr Nephrol 2002 Nov;17(11):913-916 (Epub 2002 Oct 29)
Beta-2-Microglobulin (Beta-2-M), Serum
Clinical Information: Beta-2-microglobulin (beta-2-M) is a small membrane protein (11,800 Dalton)
associated with the heavy chains of class I major histocompatibility complex proteins and is, therefore, on
the surface of all nucleated cells. The small size allows beta-2-M to pass through the glomerular
membrane, but it is almost completely reabsorbed in the proximal tubules. Serum beta-2-M levels are
elevated in diseases associated with increased cell turnover. Levels are also elevated in several benign
conditions such as chronic inflammation, liver disease, renal dysfunction, some acute viral infections, and
a number of malignancies, especially hematologic malignancies associated with the B-lymphocyte
lineage. In multiple myeloma, beta-2-M is a powerful prognostic factor and values