Investigation of the Relationship Between Schizophrenia and Toxoplasmosis in Van Province, Turkey

Abstract

Background: Schizophrenia is a worldwide, serious neuropsychiatric disorder of unknown cause. Previous studies showed that infectious agents may play a role in its etiology. Among them, T. gondii was strongly hypothesized. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the IgG and IgM seroprevalence of T gondii in schizophrenia patients. Subjects and Methods: The study was conducted on 190 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia in Van province, Turkey. Also included as the control group were 100 healthy individuals. Anti-T gondii IgG and IgM antibody positivity was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in blood samples taken from both groups. Results: Anti-T gondii IgG antibody was detected in 120 schizophrenic patients (63.2%), and in 100 (29%) healthy controls. Anti-T gondii IgM antibody seropositivity was not detected in either group. Conclusion: In line with the data obtained in the study carried out in Van province, it was concluded that individuals infected with T gondii were more likely to develop schizophrenia. Further studies are recommended to prove the relationship between T. gondii and schizophrenia.