Investigation of the Relationship Between Schizophrenia Patients and Toxoplasmosis

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) in schizophrenia patients and reveal the importance of toxoplasmosis as a risk factor in these patients. Method: The study was conducted on 190 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. Also included as the control group were 100 healthy individuals without schizophrenia. Anti-T. gondii immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM antibody levels were determined via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in blood samples taken from the patient and control groups. Results: Anti-T. gondii IgG antibody was detected via ELISA in 63.2% of the 190 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia, and in 29% of the 100 individuals included in the control group. Anti-T. gondii IgM antibody seropositivity was not detected in the patient or control group. Conclusion: In line with the data obtained in the study, it was concluded that individuals infected with T. gondii were more likely to develop schizophrenia. It was also concluded that more detailed studies should be conducted to prove the relationship between T. gondii and schizophrenia.