Beta-2 microglobulin as a marker for HIV infection

Beta-2 microglobulin is a sensitive surrogate test for HIV infection for use in jurisdictions where HIV antibody tests are not allowed to be performed on life insurance applicants by law/regulation. The advantage of beta-2 microglobulin over T cell testing, which is a surrogate test also used by the life insurance industry for detecting HIV infection, is the stability of B 2M in serum over long periods of time.