[Features of the immune system and the risk of endogenous psychosis at juvenile age].

Objective: To study an immunological profile at prodromal and manifesting stages of endogenous juvenile psychosis.

Methods: Authors studied 77 patients, aged from 16 to 25 years. Patients were stratified into 2 groups. The first group included 39 patients without psychotic symptoms (prodromal group) and the second one -- 38 patients with the first episode of psychosis (psychotic group). A complex of immunological parameters included phagocyte activity, cytotoxic activity, natural killer lymphocytes, production of interleukins (IL-1, IL-4, IL-10 and γ-interferon), content of circulating immune complexes. These parameters were measured at baseline and after treatment.

Results: The changes in the immune system emerged at the very early stages of the disease. There was the activation of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory interleukins, decrease in the phagocyte index and cytotoxic activity of natural killer lymphocytes. The high activity of IL-10 production, decreased levels of the cytotoxic activity of natural killer lymphocytes and reduced phagocyte index as well as the accumulation of circulating immune complexes are maintained during psychosis.

Conclusions: The authors recommend to use immunomodulating drugs, along with psychotropics, at the very early stages of the disease to prevent poor outcome.