Author/Authors :
Shatizadeh-Malekshahi, Somayeh Department - School of Public Health - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Ahmadkhaniha, Hamid Reza Department of Psychiatry - Iran Mental Hospital - Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Kiani, Jalal Department - School of Public Health - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Nejati, Ahmad Department - School of Public Health - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Janani, Leila Department of Biostatistics - School of Public Health - Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Yavarian, Jila Department - School of Public Health - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran
Abstract :
Background and Objectives: Viruses have been suggested as one of the risk factors for psychiatric disorders. Among
infectious agents Borna disease virus (BDV) has been known as a neurotropic virus which is able to cause neurological disorders
in different animals. Recently there were controversial findings about BDV association with pathogenesis of human
psychotic disorders.
Materials and Methods: Here we performed a nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction for detection of BDV
P40 RNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cell samples of schizophrenia (SC), bipolar disorder (BD) patients and healthy
controls (HCs).
Results: Only one out of 120 (0.8 %) psychiatric patients and two samples (2.7%) in 75 HCs showed positive results. There
were no significant molecular evidence of BDV infection in 120 psychotic patients (60 SC and 60 BD) and 75 matched HCs.
Conclusion: Our findings showed no association between BDV infection and pathogenesis of these psychiatric disorders.
This is an interesting issue given both the as yet un-clarified role of BDV in human mental disorders and addressing patients
in the so far under-investigating Middle East era.
Keywords :
Bipolar disorder , Borna disease virus , Iran , Nested RT-PCR , Schizophrenia
