[The LDH virus and changes in cellular immunity in schizophrenics and their relatives]

In a long-term investigation the authors investigated in a group of schizophrenics and their grade 1 relatives the immunological response to schizophrenic cortex (from the frontal and temporal lobe) and to LDH viral antigen (lactate dehydrogenase virus). In the group of 261 subjects (84 patients, 60 parents, 37 siblings) a significant increase of a certain type of cytophil antibodies was detected, manifested by positive reactivity to gray matter of the schizophrenic and healthy brain, not only in patients but also in their parents and siblings who were healthy from the clinical and psychiatric aspect. At the same time a highly positive immune response to the LDH viral antigen was found not only in patients but also in their relatives. In some positive subjects, in particular as regards the viral antigen, the number of non-adhered cells in the LAI test (Leucocyte adherence inhibition) exceeded 100% which suggest leucocyte proliferation. Microscopic examination revealed repeatedly that during two-hour leucocyte incubation with antigen at 37 degrees C in these subjects enhanced mitotic leucocyte division occurs. This finding was recorded in 22% of all positive schizophrenics and in 13% of the parents; in healthy siblings (although they had a positive immune response to the viral antigen) direct cell division did no occur in any of the cases. Assessment of circulating immune complexes revealed positive values in a total of 93% of all investigated subjects. As compared with controls (80 mentally and physically healthy blood donors), the mean levels are more than double and the difference is highly significant (P less than 0.0001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)