Acute infection with Epstein-Barr virus is associated with atherogenic lipid changes.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of acute infection with Epstein-Barr virus (infectious mononucleosis, IM) on lipids and lipoproteins.


METHODS
Fasting serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TGs), apolipoproteins (apo) A-I, B, E, C-II, C-III and lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] were determined in patients with IM on diagnosis and 4 months after the resolution of febrile illness and in age- and sex-matched controls. Activities of cholesteryl-ester transfer protein (CETP), lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) and paraoxonase 1 (PON1) as well as levels of several cytokines were determined. LDL subclass analysis was performed with the Lipoprint LDL System.


RESULTS
Twenty-nine patients (16 males, aged 24.3±14.6 years) and 30 controls were included. TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, apoA-I, apoB, apoC-III and Lp(a) levels were lower at baseline whereas apoB/apoA-I ratio, TG levels and CETP activity were elevated compared with 4 months later. At baseline, higher levels in cytokines and the cholesterol concentration of small-dense LDL particles (sdLDL-C) were noticed, whereas LDL particle size was lower compared with follow-up. Activities of Lp-PLA2 and PON1 were similar at baseline and 4 months later. Four months after the resolution of IM levels of TGs, apoE, apoC-III, Lp(a), sdLDL-C and cytokines as well as LDL particle size, apoB/apoA-I ratio, CETP and Lp-PLA2 activities were similar to controls. PON1 activities both at baseline and 4 months later were lower in patients compared with controls.


CONCLUSIONS
IM is associated with atherogenic changes of lipids and lipoproteins that are partially restored 4 months after its resolution.
Apostolou
F
F
Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece.
Gazi
I F
IF
Lagos
K
K
Tellis
C C
CC
Tselepis
A D
AD
Liberopoulos
E N
EN
Elisaf
M
M
D043203:1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase / Q000378:metabolism; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D043303:Aryldialkylphosphatase / Q000097:blood; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000097:blood*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D053480:Cholesterol Ester Transfer Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male
C506642:CETP protein, human; D053480:Cholesterol Ester Transfer Proteins; D008055:Lipids; D008074:Lipoproteins; D043203:1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase; D043303:Aryldialkylphosphatase