Assessment of Serum Beta 2-Microglobulin Levels in Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Patients: Implications for Immune Activation and Disease Pathogenesis

Abstract

Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) presents a spectrum of clinical manifestations, ranging from asymptomatic cases to severe, life-threatening conditions. Despite extensive research on CCHF pathogenesis, comprehensive understanding remains elusive. Our investigation focused on assessing serum beta 2-microglobulin (β2M) levels in CCHF patients, aiming to elucidate its potential as an immune activation marker and its involvement in disease pathogenesis. The study enrolled 45 CCHF patients and 45 healthy volunteers as a control group. Serum β2M levels were quantified using the immunoturbidimetric analysis method. The patient group was divided into two groups, mild and moderate-severe, using scoring systems. The mean β2M values for the control, mild, and moderate-severe patient groups were 2.27±0.50, 4.37±1.29, and 5.82±2.62 mg/L, respectively (p<0.001). Positive correlations were noted between β2M concentrations and markers such as BUN, creatinine, uric acid, creatine kinase, and aPTT (p<0.001, r=0.684; p<0.001, r=0.602; p=0.003, r=0.439; p=0.008, r=0.392; p=0.019, r=0.348, respectively). Conversely, negative correlations were observed with total protein, albumin, and platelet count (p=0.021, r=-0.342; p=0.003, r=-0.434; p=0.048, r=-0.296, respectively). The findings suggest a prominent inflammatory response in CCHF, indicated by elevated β2M levels, implying its potential role in the molecular mechanisms of the disease