Abnormal Response to Epstein-Barr Virus Found in Schizophrenia Patients

According to a new study from Johns Hopkins Medicine and Sheppard Pratt Health Systems participants with schizophrenia were found to have elevations in their level of antibodies against the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV). EBV is a herpes virus that causes infectious mononucleosis, aka mono. It initially causes fever and swollen lymph nodes and is commonly transmitted through oral contact such as kissing, hence it’s moniker as “the kissing disease”.

Researchers found that those with Schizophrenia had increased level of reactivity to EBV-viral capsid antibody, whereas they did not have increased reactivity to EBV-nuclear antigen. Researchers concluded that due to patient’s with schizophrenia increased levels of antibodies to only some EBV proteins there is indication for an aberrant response to EBV infection. This aberrant response to EBV infection is believed to contribute to schizophrenia altering patients’ immune systems making them more susceptible to EBV overall. Another explanation for the heightened immune response is that EBV infection could potentially increase the risk of schizophrenia.