Changes in plasma beta 2 microglobulin concentrations after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

Plasma concentrations of beta 2 microglobulin (B2M), the light chain of the class I major histocompatibility complex, were measured serially in 26 patients undergoing allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). The concentrations fell after conditioning treatment, and recovered when the marrow was transplanted. Bacterial infection did not influence B2M concentration, but nine of 22 episodes of acute graft versus host disease were associated with raised concentrations. Increased plasma B2M concentrations were also a feature of eight episodes of chronic graft versus host disease, and these fell after treatment. Reactivation of herpes simplex, varicella zoster, or cytomegalovirus infections were also accompanied by raised B2M concentrations. Three patients with cytomegalovirus pneumonitis had high concentrations of plasma B2M, the rise starting between five and 22 days before onset of symptoms. Although it is non-specific, serial measurement of plasma B2M in patients undergoing BMT may be clinically useful in monitoring chronic graft versus host disease.