Chronic Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection is a widespread condition that can negatively affect brain function and is considered a risk factor for various psychiatric conditions, including depression and schizophrenia. This prospective observational study aims to investigate the expression levels of specific circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) in women diagnosed with schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, or bipolar disorder who also have chronic toxoplasmosis. By comparing these levels to patients without the infection, the study seeks to determine if these miRNAs can serve as biological markers to help differentiate between specific psychological disorders and identify the impact of chronic toxoplasmosis on mental health.
Confirmed psychiatric diagnosis of Schizophrenia (SCZ), Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), or Bipolar Disorder (BD) according to DSM-5 criteria.
Seronegative for T. gondii IgM (to ensure infection is not in the acute phase).
Signed informed consent.
Psychiatric disorders other than Schizophrenia, MDD, and Bipolar Disorder.
The study population consists of adult women (aged 18 years and older) who have been clinically diagnosed with Schizophrenia, Major Depressive Disorder, or Bipolar Disorder according to DSM-5 criteria. These patients are recruited from the psychiatric departments of Benha and Tanta Universities. Within this group, the population is divided into two cohorts: those with chronic toxoplasmosis (confirmed by the presence of anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies) and those without the infection. To ensure a specific focus on chronic cases, the study excludes patients with acute toxoplasmosis (IgM positive) or other unrelated psychiatric conditions. No healthy volunteers are included, as the research specifically aims to differentiate biomarkers among patients already experiencing psychological disturbances.
Cohort
Prospective
Circulating miRNA Expression and T. gondii Serology
Diagnostic testSerology: ELISA testing to detect anti-Toxoplasma IgG (confirming chronic infection) and IgM (excluding acute infection). Genetic Analysis: Quantitative Reverse-transcriptase PCR (qRT-PCR) to measure the expression levels of a predetermined panel of plasma miRNAs. Psychiatric Evaluation: Clinical diagnosis according to DSM-5 criteria.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Plasma miRNA Expression for Detecting Chronic Toxoplasmosis in Psychiatric Patients
The Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) Curve (AUC) used to determine the diagnostic performance of circulating microRNA fold-change (measured by qRT-PCR) in discriminating between patients with and without chronic T. gondii infection (confirmed by anti-Toxoplasma IgG ELISA).
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