The role of latent toxoplasmosis in the aetiopathogenesis of schizophrenia - the risk factor or an indication of a contact with cat?

Abstract

Abstract:We assessed igg antibody to Toxoplasma gondii in 300 inpatients with schizophrenia (SG), 150 outpatients with anxiety and depressive disorders (PCG), and 150 healthy blood donors (HCG). Seropositivity rates were 60.7% for SG, 36.7% for PCG, and 45.3% for HCG (p<0.001). The seropositivity rate for anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies in SG was significantly higher that in PCG (X 2 = 23.11, OR = 2.66, p = 0.001) and HCG (X 2 = 9.52, OR = 1.86, p = 0.002). Among SG, 85% of those who reported close cat contact had igg antibodies to T. gondii. Close cat contacts were reported by 59% of SG, 6% of PCG, and 9% of HCG (p<0.001). There was a nonsignificant positive association between toxoplasmosis and schizophrenia for people with a contact with a cat (or = 2.221, p = 0.127, ci 95 = 0.796-6.192), and significant negative association between toxoplasmosis and schizophrenia for people without contact with a cat (OR = 0.532, p = 0.009, CI 95 = 0.332-0.854). Close cat contact (OR = 2.679, p<0.001), 51-65-year age group (OR = 1.703, p<0.001) and education [illiterate+primary (OR = 6.146, p<0.001) and high school (OR = 1.974, p = 0.023)] were detected as independent risk factors in multivariate logistic regression. The effect of toxoplasmosis on risk of schizophrenia disappeared in the complex model analyzed with multivariate logistic regression. In conclusion, our data suggest that the toxoplasmosis has no direct effect on the risk of schizophrenia in turkey but is just an indication of previous contacts with a cat.

Investigation of Anti-Toxocaraand Anti-ToxoplasmaAntibodies in Patients with Schizophrenia Disorder

“…The present finding is in contrast with the studies conducted by Alvarado-Esquivel et al [49], Yuksel [50], and Xiao et al [37], which demonstrated that seroprevalence of anti- T. gondii IgG is not different between men and women with schizophrenia disorder. On the other hand, Lindová et al [51] reported higher seropositivity in male than in female schizophrenic patients.…”

Is there any role of latent toxoplasmosis in schizophrenia disease?

“…Similar results were also reported in numerous studies. 2,17 By contrast, higher seropositivity in schizophrenic women than in schizophrenic man was also indicated by Khademvatan et al 14 In the present study, seroprevalence of T. gondii was not significantly different between the schizophrenia group and healthy controls with respect to age groups. However, the OR was detected as 3.5 in the >50-year age group.…”

“…1 By contrast, epidemiologic studies have indicated that environmental exposures, such as winterespring birth, urban birth, and peri-and postnatal infections, are risk factors for the disease developing in later life. 2 In researches on infectious agents, it has been hypothesized that Toxoplasma gondii is a potentially relevant etiological factor in some cases of schizophrenia. 3e5 T. gondii that commonly infects humans and animals is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite.…”

“…Animal studies of T. gondii have demonstrated that this organism can lead to altered behavior and affect dopamine, norepinephrine, and other neurotransmitters. 2,12 Recent studies have indicated that the genome of T. gondii has two genes encoding tyrosine hydroxylase; this enzyme affects dopamine biosynthesis. 1 In the literature, there are numerous studies to indicate that schizophrenia disease is associated with toxoplasmosis.…”

Comparative study on Toxoplasma infection between Malaysian and Myanmar pregnant women

“…As reported in many previous studies, the infection sources are consumption of contaminated raw meat [2], water [3], fruits [4] and vegetables [5] or having close contacts with felines [6] and exposure to soil contaminated with cats' feces [7]. Infection during early pregnancy is more serious compared to infection in late gestation, but the likelihood of disease transmission increases during the progression of pregnancy [8].…”