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 negative 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.