Positive and Negative Syndromes, and Borna Disease Virus Infection in Schizophrenia

The relationship between Borna disease virus (BDV) infection and positive and negative syndromes in schizophrenia was investigated. By nested RT-PCR and Western blotting, BDV-specific RNA and anti-BDV antibodies were examined in blood from 67 schizophrenic patients (DSM-III-R) in Japan, and the psychometric properties of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) were analyzed. There were significant (p < 0.05) differences in the composite index denoting the positive minus negative difference indicating a dominant contribution by negative items, and the proportion of negative type (positive minus negative value below zero) patients, between patients positive and negative for anti-BDV p24 antibodies. It is possible that BDV infection with induction of BDV p24 antibodies may be associated with negative syndromes in schizophrenic patients.