Detection of EBV BNRF 1 Gene in Iraqi Schizophrenia Patients by Molecular Methods doi.org/10.26538/tjnpr/v5i6.4
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Abstract
Epstein–Barr virus is the most common viruses that is capable of infecting the central nervous system and establishing persistent infection. EBV infects B cells of immune system and epithelial cells. A target sequence of the BNRF1 gene is a successful genetic marker for EBV. The aim of this study was to determine the relation between EBV and schizophrenia. A total number of 180 serum and plasma samples were collected from Baghdad specialized hospital for psychiatric disorder including (90 schizophrenia patients, and 90 control sample males and females. Immunological assay for evaluation of Anti-EBV IgG was accomplished by ELISA technique. Molecular analysis was achieved by real time PCR to confirm our results by detecting copy number of BNRF1 gene to determine the infection severity. Results revealed that the distribution of EBV infection among studied group was 70 (77.7%) in patients and 8 (8.8%) in control. Investigating schizophrenia family history was also included in the study, results showed that 50 (55.5%) of patients have family history while 40 (44.4%) did not. Anti-EBV IgG was positive in 78 (86.6%) and 10 (11.1%) of schizophrenia patients and control group respectively, molecular experiments confirmed our results where it showed a high copy number of the BNRF1 gene in patients with high Anti-EBV IgG level and low copy number in patients with low Ab serum level. In conclusion, there is a significant relation between schizophrenia and EBV infection in studied subjects, accompanied with a statistical significance in the family history factors compared with control group.
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