[Anti-thymocyte antibodies in schizophrenia: clinico-immunologic and genetic correlations]

The blood levels of anti-thymocytic IgG, IgM and IgA were studied in schizophrenics, their relatives and normal donors. The schizophrenic patients and their relatives had significantly elevated levels of IgG and IgM. The increased level of IgG in schizophrenic patients may be considered as a reflection of the pathological process or, perhaps, as a response to disease exacerbation. A high concentration of IgM is implicated in hereditary liability to schizophrenia being a significant although insufficient component of the patient's ability to develop the disease.