Acute infection with Epstein–Barr virus is associated with atherogenic lipid changes

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of acute infection with Epstein–Barr virus (infectious mononucleosis, IM) on lipids and lipoproteins.MethodsFasting 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.ResultsTwenty-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.ConclusionsIM is associated with atherogenic changes of lipids and lipoproteins that are partially restored 4 months after its resolution.