title: Schizophrenia and Infections: The Eyes Have It.
abstract: The visual tract is prominently involved in schizophrenia, as evidenced by perceptual distortions and a type of nystagmus found in many individuals affected. Genetic explanations for these abnormalities have been suggested. This study proposes an alternate explanation based on infection. Several infectious agents thought to be associated with some cases of schizophrenia are known to cause both infection of the fetus and abnormalities of the eye. Toxoplasma gondii is examined in detail, and rubella, cytomegalovirus, varicella-zoster virus, and herpes simplex virus more briefly. Careful ophthalmic assessments, including funduscopy and direct examination of tissues for infectious agents, will clarify the role of such agents in ocular aspects of schizophrenia.
authors: Stanley Medical Research Institute, 10605 Concord Street, Suite 205, Kensington, MD, USA.
authors: E Fuller
authors: EF
authors: Torrey
authors: Stanley Laboratory of Neurovirology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors: Robert H
authors: RH
authors: Yolken
mesh_terms: D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D015835:Ocular Motility Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010468:Perceptual Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012410:Rubella Syndrome, Congenital / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014126:Toxoplasmosis, Ocular / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: infections; ocular; schizophrenia; toxoplasmosis