Acute phase proteins and immunoglobulin classes in newly diagnosed Nigerian schizophrenic patients and those on anti psychotic drug treatment

Abstract

Background: No single organic cause has been found for schizophrenia and its management has been difficult. More so, there are few data on the immune parameters of Nigerian schizophrenic patients on drug treatment and those that are not on treatment.
Methodology: This study determines the levels of immunoglobulin
classes (IgG, IgA, and IgM) and acute phase proteins (caeruloplasmin, haptoglobin, transferrin and alpha 2- macroglobulin) in schizophrenic patients that are on drug treatment and those that are not on drug treatment compared with the controls.
Results: The mean level of IgG was significantly reduced in newly
diagnosed drug free schizophrenic patients compared with controls
(p=0.00) or with those on treatment (p=0.00). The mean level of
transferrin was significantly reduced in newly diagnosed drug free
schizophrenic patients compared with controls (p=0.00) or with those
on treatment (p=0.00).
Conclusion: This study suggests the use of IgG and transferrin as
indicators of drug compliance/efficacy in schizophrenic and in
assessing the severity of schizophrenia.

Keywords: Schizophrenia, transferrin, anti-psychotic drugs, Nigeria and immunoglobulin.