ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: While the aetiology for most psychotic disorders is unknown, a strong association has been observed between Toxoplasma gondii infection and psychosis. The proportion of individuals with psychotic disorders who have current or past infection with toxoplasma has been varied. Reports from the African continent have however been scanty. METHODS: A case control study of patients with a psychotic disorder presenting for the first time to a regional psychiatric facility was undertaken and compared to age and sex-matched healthy controls. In addition to socio-demographic and clinical characteristics, seroprevalence (IgG and IgM) of T. gondii was undertaken using an immunoassay test kit. RESULTS: IgG seropositivity was significantly higher among cases (30·7% vs 17·85%, OR = 2·04, 95% CI = 1·12-3·74, P<0·02). In contrast, IgM seropositivity was significantly lower among the cases (7·14% vs 8·57%, OR = 0·82, 95% CI = 0·31-2·16, P = 0·82). Cases who were IgG seropositive to T. gondii were more likely to be older (P<0·001) and female (P<0·001). There was no statistically significant difference in terms of T. gondii infection and, eaten poorly cooked meat (0·88), and diagnostic group (P = 0·53). Though there was a trend towards exposure to cats, this failed to reach significance (P = 0·08). CONCLUSION: T. gondii (IgG) infection is common among individuals with severe mental illness sampled and significantly higher compared to controls.
Subject(s)
Mental Disorders/complications , Toxoplasmosis/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Antibodies, Protozoan/blood , Case-Control Studies , Female , Humans , Immunoglobulin G/blood , Immunoglobulin M/blood , Male , Middle Aged , Nigeria/epidemiology , Seroepidemiologic Studies , Toxoplasma/immunology , Young AdultABSTRACT
Psychopharmacotherapy dominates the therapeutic arsenal of psychiatrists and, not surprisingly, psychotropic drugs are widely consumed in psychiatric practice. The pattern of prescribing of these drugs needs to be appraised in terms of 'rational drug use', which may be defined as 'the use of the least number of drugs to obtain the best possible effects in the shortest possible time and at a reasonable cost' (Gross, 1981).
