Toxoplasma gondii, Herpesviridae and long-term risk of transition to first-episode psychosis in an ultra high-risk sample

E Burkhardt; M Berger; RH Yolken; A Lin; HP Yuen; SJ Wood; SM Francey; A Thompson; PD McGorry; B Nelson; AR Yung; GP Amminger

Journal article

Toxoplasma gondii, Herpesviridae and long-term risk of transition to first-episode psychosis in an ultra high-risk sample

E Burkhardt, M Berger, RH Yolken, A Lin, HP Yuen, SJ Wood, SM Francey, A Thompson, PD McGorry, B Nelson, AR Yung, GP Amminger

Schizophrenia Research | ELSEVIER | Published : 2021

DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2021.06.012

Abstract

Background: Ultra high-risk (UHR) criteria were introduced to identify people at imminent risk of developing psychosis. To improve prognostic accuracy, additional clinical and biological risk factors have been researched. Associations between psychotic disorders and infections with Toxoplasma gondii and Herpesviridae have been found. It is unknown if exposure to those pathogens increases the risk of transition to psychosis in UHR cohorts. Methods: We conducted a long-term follow-up of 96 people meeting UHR criteria, previously seen at the Personal Assessment and Crisis Evaluation (PACE) clinic, a specialized service in Melbourne, Australia. Transition to psychosis was assessed using the Comp..

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University of Melbourne Researchers

Maximus Berger Author

Hok Yuen Author

Stephen Wood Author

Shona Francey Author

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Grants

Awarded by National Health and Medical Research Council

Funding Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the funding support of National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Program grants 350241 and 566529 and the Colonial Foundation. M. Berger was supported by an MRFF Rapid Applied Research Translation Fellowship. A. Lin was supported by an NHMRC Career Development Fellowship (1148793). P.D. McGorry supported by an NHMRC Senior Principal Research Fellowship (1060996). B. Nelson was supported by an NHMRC Senior Research Fellowship (1137687). A. Yung was supported by an NHMRC Senior Research Fellowship (566593). G.P. Amminger was supported by an NHMRC Senior Research Fellowship (1080963).