engleski

Increased prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity in patients with treatment- resistant schizophrenia

Objective: Patients with schizophrenia have increased prevalence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii (TG), whereas TG seropositive patients demonstrate higher symptom severity. The aim of this study was to examine the association of TG seropositivity with treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS) and different clinical features. Method: This cross-sectional study included 210 male inpatients with schizophrenia, evaluated by various psychiatric diagnostic rating scales. TG seropositivity was determined by enzyme- linked-fluorescent assay. TRS was defined as a failure of at least 2 adequate antipsychotic trials. Results: TG seropositive patients had twice the rate of treatment-resistance compared to TG seronegative patients. In the TG seropositive group patients were older, lived more often in the countryside, had higher number of previous hospitalizations, longer duration of the disease, as well as increased depressive and suicidal symptoms. Treatment- resistant patients were older, had higher number of previous hospitalizations, longer duration of the disease, increased PANSS total, negative, general psychopathology and cognition scores, depressive symptoms and more suicide attempts during life- time. Conclusion: Our results support the hypothesis that TG seropositivity might contribute to treatment- resistance in schizophrenia, at least in male patients. Our findings also suggest that both treatment-resistant patients as well as TG seropositive patients demonstrate more severe clinical features of schizophrenia.

Toxoplasma gondii ; seropositivity ; treatment-resistance ; schizophrenia ; symptom severity

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