Increased Herpes simplex virus 1, Toxoplasma gondii and Cytomegalovirus antibody concentrations in severe mental illness.

Infections with Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1) and Toxoplasma gondii (TG) have been implicated in severe mental illness. All three pathogens have high seroprevalence in the human population, are neurotropic and establish a persistent infection. We hypothesized that exposed (seropositive) patients with severe mental illness would show higher immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations than exposed healthy controls (HC).

Nuclear factor kappa-B cell (NF-κB), interferon regulatory Factor, and glucocorticoid receptor pathway activation in major depressive Disorder: The role of cytomegalovirus infection.

Altered activity of major immunoregulatory pathways has been reported in major depressive disorder (MDD) and is thought to underlie the elevations in circulating inflammatory mediators present in a subgroup of patients. However, the drivers of these changes in gene expression remain unclear. One potential modulator of immune function is viral infection.

The association of maternal COVID-19-infection during pregnancy on the neonatal immune profile and associations with later diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disorders.

Despite the prevalence and significant concern of COVID-19 in maternal and offspring health, little is known about the impact of COVID-19 during pregnancy on newborn immunity and neurodevelopment. This study aimed to examine 1) the relationship between maternal COVID-19 during pregnancy and newborn immune profiles and investigate the 2) associations between specific newborn immune profiles and the risk of subsequent diagnosis of a neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD) among children with prenatal exposure to COVID-19. Newborn dried bloodspots (NBS) from 545 children born at Kaiser Permanente Northern California between January 2020 and September 2021 (460 [223 males, 237 females] to COVID-19-infected [COVID+] mothers; 85 [45 males, 40 females] to COVID-19-uninfected [COVID-] mothers) were used to profile newborn immune molecules via a 42-plex cytokine/chemokine assay.

Toxoplasma-induced behavior changes - is microbial dysbiosis the missing link?

( is one of the most successful intracellular protozoa in that it can infect the majority of mammalian cell types during the acute phase of infection. Furthermore, it is able to establish a chronic infection for the host's entire lifespan by developing an encysted parasite form, primarily in the muscles and brain of the host, to avoid the host immune system. The infection affects one third of the world population and poses an increased risk for people with a suppressed immune system.

Risk Factors for Natural Cause Mortality in Schizophrenia.

Importance: Schizophrenia is associated with premature mortality from mostly natural causes. Decreased cognitive functioning has been identified as a determinant of mortality in the general population. However, there have been few prospective studies of this issue in persons with schizophrenia.