Interleukin-4 and interferon- γ levels in Epstein-Barr virus-associated infectious mononucleosis and nasopharyngeal carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Cytokines have been suggested to participate in the pathogenesis of infectious mononucleosis (IM) and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). METHODS: Serum levels and gene expression of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) were assessed by immunologic and PCR assays, respectively in patients with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated IM and NPC and EBV nega-tive controls. RESULTS: The serum levels of IFN- γ were elevated, but those of IL-4 were decreased in IM and NPC patients as compared with those of the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that serum levels of IFN-γ may be predominant over those of IL-4 during the course of IM and NPC.