Studies of serum beta-2-microglobulin in the initial postoperative period after kidney transplantation.

Determinations of serum beta 2-microglobulin (s-beta 2-m) were made in daily serum samples from 31 patients, in the initial postoperative period after renal transplantation. In the majority of acute rejection episodes s-beta 2-m preceded an increase of serum creatinine. Bacterial infection in this early posttransplant period did not seem to induce an increase of s-beta 2-m. S-beta 2-m determinations might be used in monitoring antirejection therapy, but this needs to be further investigated.