[Antibodies to measles, smallpox, influenza and arenaviruses in schizophrenic patients]

The levels of hemagglutinating antibodies to measles, smallpox, influenza viruses and of complement-fixing antibody to lymphocytic choriomeningitis, Takaribe, Amapari viruses were studied, in the blood sera of 77 schizophrenics and 44 normal donors. The investigation revealed definite differences. The schizophrenic patients had a statistically significant elevation in the titres of anti-smallpox antibodies. A certain increase in levels of antibodies to the measles virus was observed. There were no considerable differences in titres of antibodies to arenaviruses and influenza virus. A relationship between antibody production, on the one hand, and the severity and course of the disease and also the age of those examined, on the other, was noted.