Toxoplasma gondii infection and chronic schizophrenia: Is there any association?

Salvina Maria De Campos-Carli, Érica Leandro Marciano Vieira, Natalia Pessoa Rocha, Keliane De Oliveira, Fernanda Carneiro Guimarães, Izabela Guimarães Barbosa, João Luís Vieira Monteiro De Barros, Olaoluwa Okusaga, Olindo Assis Martins-Filho, João Vinícius Salgado, Antônio Lúcio Teixeira

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection has been identified as a risk factor for schizophrenia. Objectives: Herein, we sought to evaluate the association between T. gondii infection and clinical symptoms and quality of life in patients with schizophrenia. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study with 48 patients with chronic schizophrenia and 40 controls. Peripheral blood was drawn, and IgM and IgG anti-T. gondii antibodies were evaluated by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Depressive, positive and negative symptoms were assessed, respectively, by the Calgary Depression Scale (CDS) and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Cognitive performance was assessed in patients by the Brazilian version of the Schizophrenia Cognition Rating Scale (SCoRS-BR). Quality of life was assessed by the Brazilian version of the Quality of Life in Schizophrenia scale (QLS-BR). Results: The prevalence and titers of T. gondii IgM and IgG antibodies did not differ between patients and controls. The positive serology for T. gondii IgG antibodies was not associated with illness symptoms, cognitive performance, depressive symptoms or quality of life. Discussion: Our findings suggest that toxoplasmosis infection is not associated with severity of symptoms, quality of life, cognitive or depressive symptoms in schizophrenia patients.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)145-148
Number of pages4
JournalRevista de Psiquiatria Clinica
Volume44
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1 2017
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Cognition
  • Depression
  • Quality of life
  • Schizophrenia
  • Toxoplasma gondii

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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