Parameters of Nonspecific and Specific Immune Resistance in Episodic Remittent Paranoid Schizophrenia Compared with Unfavorably Current Form of Episodic Paranoid Schizophrenia

Abstract

Although the immune component of the pathogenesis of schizophrenia is well documented and recognized, the characteristics of the relationship between nonspecific and specific immune resistance and their correlation with the form and course of the disease continue to remain practically unexplored. The aim of this study was to investigate the systemic relationships present between the multiple parameters of the immune system (cellular, humoral and phagocytic defenses, the serum levels of the antibodies to herpes simplex virus type 1, herpes simplex virus type 2, cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus) in episodic remittent paranoid schizophrenia (ERPS) compared with unfavorably current form of episodic paranoid schizophrenia with progressive or stable deficit (EPSPSD). Material and Methods: The study included 32 patients with ERPS (main group) and 30 patients with EPSPSD (control group). We determined the leukocyte content, the lymphocyte subpopulations and the leukocyte phagocytosis in PHAGOTEST with fluorescein (FITC)-labeled opsonized bacteria and calculated the Phagocytic Index (PhI), the circulating immune complexes (CIC) level by spectrophotometry. The antibodies against the herpesviruses (HSV-1, HSV-2, CMV, EBV) were determined using the ELISA test. Total Serum immunoglobulins, IgG, IgM, and IgA, were determined by immunoturbidimetry.Results: In the main group, a combination of immune responses to the viruses studied was observed, while in the control group, an immune response to herpes simplex virus type 1(HSV-1) - herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) - cytomegalovirus (CMV) association was found, as well as an immune response separately to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). In both groups, the cellular immune deficit was noted to be more pronounced in the control group. Conclusion: These results demonstrate a definite link between herpes infection and the immune resistance parameters of patients with the episodic paranoid schizophrenia. The results confirm the infectious theory of the diseases.