Test ID: B2MC
Beta-2-Microglobulin (B-2-M), Spinal Fluid
NY State Approved 
Indicates the status of NY State approval and if the test is orderable for NY State clients.
Useful For Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful
Evaluation of central nervous system inflammation and B-cell proliferative diseases
Method Name A short description of the method used to perform the test
Nephelometry
Reporting Name A shorter/abbreviated version of the Published Name for a test; an abbreviated test name
Aliases Lists additional common names for a test, as an aid in searching
Beta 2 Microglobulin, CSF Test
Specimen Type Describes the specimen type needed for testing
Specimen Required Defines the optimal specimen. This field describes the type of specimen required to perform the test and the preferred volume to complete testing. The volume allows automated processing, fastest throughput and, when indicated, repeat or reflex testing.
Container/Tube: Sterile vial
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Specimen Minimum Volume Defines the amount of specimen required to perform an assay once, including instrument and container dead space. Submitting the minimum specimen volume makes it impossible to repeat the test or perform confirmatory or perform reflex testing. In some situations, a minimum specimen volume may result in a QNS (quantity not sufficient) result, requiring a second specimen to be collected.
Reject Due To Identifies specimen types and conditions that may cause the specimen to be rejected
| Hemolysis | Mild OK; Gross OK |
| Lipemia | NA |
| Icterus | NA |
| Other | NA |
Specimen Stability Information Provides a description of the temperatures required to transport a specimen to the laboratory. Alternate acceptable temperature(s) are also included.
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| CSF | Refrigerated (preferred) | 14 days |
| Ambient | 14 days | |
| Frozen | 14 days |
Clinical Information Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test
Beta-2-microglobulin (B-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 B-2-M to pass through the glomerular membrane, but it is almost completely reabsorbed in the proximal tubules.
Increased B-2-M levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) have been shown to be of diagnostic use in non-Hodgkins lymphoma with the central nervous system involvement. Elevated CSF:serum ratios seen in patients with aseptic meningo-encephalitis suggest the possibility of neurologic processes including those associated with HIV infection and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The usefulness of B-2-M measurement in multiple sclerosis seems to be of indeterminate usefulness.
Reference Values Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.
0.70-1.80 mcg/mL
Interpretation Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results
Elevations of cerebrospinal fluid beta-2-microgobulin levels may be seen in a number of diseases including malignancies, autoimmune disease, and neurological disorders.
Cautions Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances
No significant cautionary statements.
Clinical Reference Provides recommendations for further in-depth reading of a clinical nature
1. Koch T, Lichtenfeld K, Wiernik P: Detection of central nervous system metastasis with cerebrospinal fluid beta 2 microglobulin. Cancer 1983;52:101-104
2. Mavligit G, Stuckey S, Fernando B, et al: Diagnosis of leukemia or lymphoma in the central nervous system by beta 2 microglobulin determination. N Engl J Med 1980;303:718-722
3. Jeffrey G, Frampton C, Legge H, Harts D: Cerebrospinal fluid beta 2 microglobulin levels in meningeal involvement by malignancy. Pathology 1990;22:20-23
4. Us O, Lolli F, Baig S, Link H: Intrathecal synthesis of beta 2 microglobulin in multiple sclerosis and aseptic meningo-encephalitis. Acta Neurol Scand 1989;80(6):598-602
5. Elovaara I, 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
Method Description Describes how the test is performed and provides a method-specific reference
Concentrations of beta-2-microglobulin in cerebrospinal fluid are determined by nephelometry. (Instruction manual: Siemens Nephelometer II Operations. Siemens, Inc., Newark, DE)
Day(s) and Time(s) Test Performed Outlines the days and times the test is performed. This field reflects the day and time the sample must be in the testing laboratory to begin the testing process and includes any specimen preparation and processing time required before the test is performed. Some tests are listed as continuously performed, which means assays are performed several times during the day.
Monday through Saturday; 3 p.m.
Analytic Time Defines the amount of time it takes the laboratory to setup and perform the test. This is defined in number of days. The shortest interval of time expressed is "same day/1 day," which means the results may be available the same day that the sample is received in the testing laboratory. One day means results are available 1 day after the sample is received in the laboratory.
Maximum Laboratory Time Defines the maximum time from specimen receipt at Mayo Medical Laboratories until the release of the test result
Specimen Retention Time Outlines the length of time after testing that a specimen is kept in the laboratory before it is discarded
Performing Laboratory Location The location of the laboratory that performs the test
Test Classification Provides information regarding the medical device classification for laboratory test kits and reagents. Tests may be classified as cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and used per manufacturer's instructions, or as products that do not undergo full FDA review and approval, and are then labeled as an Analyte Specific Reagent (ASR), Investigation Use Only (IUO) product, or a Research Use Only (RUO) product.
CPT Code Information Provides guidance in determining the appropriate Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code(s) information for each test or profile. The listed CPT codes reflect Mayo Medical Laboratories interpretation of CPT coding requirements. It is the responsibility of each laboratory to determine correct CPT codes to use for billing.
82232
LOINC® Code Information Provides guidance in determining the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) values for the result codes returned for this test or profile.
| Result ID | Reporting Name | LOINC Code |
|---|---|---|
| B2MC | Beta-2-Microglobulin, CSF | 1951-3 |
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