Toxoplasma gondii, endothelial cells and schizophrenia: is it just a barrier matter?

Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15

Published: April 10, 2025

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligatory intracellular parasite responsible for causing toxoplasmosis. It estimated that approximately one-third of the world's population has positive serology Acute T. infection often results in subtle symptoms because its nonspecific nature. Owing to immune pressure, parasites tend encyst and persist different tissues organs, such as brain, chronicling infection. While most chronically infected individuals do not develop significant symptoms, can affect central nervous system (CNS), leading range from dizziness behavioral changes. To reach CNS, must overcome blood-brain barrier, which composed primarily endothelial cells. these cells are typically efficient at separating blood elements infection, they only permit parasitic colonization CNS but also contribute inflammatory profile may exacerbate previously established conditions both local systemic levels. An increasing body research demonstrated a potential link between by cellular or humoral response with worsening psychiatric conditions, schizophrenia. Therefore, continually advancing aimed understanding mitigating relationship schizophrenia imperative.

Language: Английский

Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio is increased in the acute phase of schizophrenia and regardless the use and types of antipsychotic drugs

BMC Psychiatry, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 24(1)

Published: Dec. 3, 2024

It has been found that patients with schizophrenia are often accompanied by concomitant changes in inflammation levels during acute exacerbations, and some studies have suggested the inflammatory indices neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte (PLR), monocyte/lymphocyte (MLR) may be biomarkers of exacerbations schizophrenia; however, few simultaneously explored differences these drug-free phase (DSA), medicated (MSA), remission period (MSR), as well effects different antipsychotic medications on indices. A total 651 subjects including 184 healthy controls (HC), 167 DSA, 119 MSA, 181 MSR were included this study. Demographic disease information was collected from each individual venous blood to detect immune cells calculate NLR, PLR, MLR, statistical methods such analysis variance (ANOVA) multiple comparisons utilized explore alteration under influence antipsychotics HC, MSR. NLR significantly higher DSA MSA than HC after adjusting confounders sex, age, smoking, years education, marital status, BMI, diabetes, hypertension. PLR MLR not any group. In MSR, positively correlated duration negatively use mood stabilizers. increased schizophrenia, regardless drugs, but stable phase, which might a promising biomarker for schizophrenia.

Language: Английский