Serum Levels of β₂-Microglobulin in HLA-B27⁺ Patients with Acute Anterior Uveitis and Ankylosing Spondylitis

Abstract

Serum levels of β2m were monitored in 89 HLA-B27⁺ patients with acute anterior uveitis (AAU) and in their first degree relatives. Serum levels of both patients and relatives were not elevated compared to sex and age matched controls. Neither the activity of the uveitis, nor the presence or absence of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), correlated with β2m levels. On the contrary, 6 of 27 HLA-B27^- patients with AAU had elevated serum levels of β2m. These findings do not confirm previous reports which showed elevated serum levels of β2m in patients with AS. A possible role for β2m in the pathogenesis of HLA-B27⁺ AAU and AS is discussed.

Key Words:

• HLA-B27
• ankylosing spondylitis
• acute anterior uveitis
• beta-2 microglobulin