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

Authors

  • Salvina Maria de Campos-Carli Federal University of Minas Gerais; Faculty of Medicine; Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Medical Research
  • Érica Leandro Marciano Vieira Federal University of Minas Gerais; Faculty of Medicine; Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Medical Research
  • Natalia Pessoa Rocha The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; McGovern Medical School; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
  • Keliane de Oliveira Hospital Foundation of the State of Minas Gerais; Instituto Raul Soares
  • Fernanda Carneiro Guimarães Hospital Foundation of the State of Minas Gerais; Instituto Raul Soares
  • Izabela Guimarães Barbosa Federal University of Minas Gerais; Faculty of Medicine; Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Medical Research
  • João Luís Vieira Monteiro de Barros Federal University of Minas Gerais; Faculty of Medicine; Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Medical Research
  • Olaoluwa Okusaga The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; McGovern Medical School; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
  • Olindo Assis Martins-Filho Oswaldo Cruz Foundation; René Rachou Research Center; Laboratory of Diagnostic and Monitoring Biomarkers
  • João Vinícius Salgado Hospital Foundation of the State of Minas Gerais; Instituto Raul Soares
  • Antônio Lúcio Teixeira The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; McGovern Medical School; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/0101-60830000000140

Keywords:

Toxoplasma gondii, schizophrenia, cognition, depression, quality of life

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.

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Published

2017-12-01

Issue

Vol. 44 No. 6 (2017)

Section

Original Articles

License

Once accepted for publication, the manuscript becomes permanent property of the Archives of Clinical Psychiatry. This copyright transfer subsumes exclusive and unlimited entitlement of the Archives of Clinical Psychiatry to publish and distribute the full contents of articles in whichever publishing medium, including press and electronic media, in Brazil and abroad.

Manuscripts are accepted with the understanding that the Editor and the editorial staff have the right to make revisions aimed at greater conciseness, clarity, and conformity with Journal style, of course without changing its content.

How to Cite

Toxoplasma gondii infection and chronic schizophrenia: is there any association?. (2017). Archives of Clinical Psychiatry, 44(6), 145-148. https://doi.org/10.1590/0101-60830000000140