Prevalence of herpes simplex virus 1/2 and human cytomegalovirus in sudanese schizophrenic patients

Background: Cognitive impairment in the form of decreased working memory and executive functions has been recognized as a key deficit in schizophrenia. Neurotropic viruses such as Herpes virus and human cytomegalovirus have been associated with focal gray matter deficits in patients with schizophrenia. Aim: The study was carried out to detect the prevalence and relationship of herpes simplex virus (HSV 1/2) and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) among Sudanese schizophrenia patients. Methods: A total number of 60 plasma samples were collected randomly from schizophrenia patients at Kubar hospital in Khartoum, Sudan. On the other hand, 30 samples were collected from healthy individuals were served as controls. The detection of HSV1/2 and HCMV IgG antibodies were performed by using an Enzyme–linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results: HSV1/2 IgG antibodies were detected in 95% schizophrenic patients and 93.3% control (0.75 P value), while IgG antibodies to HCMV were detected in 96.7% schizophrenic patients and (90.0%) control (P value 0.19).