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Pathology 2018
Research & Reviews: Journal of Medical and Health Sciences
ISSN: 2319-9865
Page 77
October 08-09, 2018
Edinburgh, Scotland
17
th
International Conference on
Pathology & Cancer
Epidemiology
Background:
There is increasing evidences that favor the prenatal
beginning of schizophrenia. These evidences point toward intra-
uterine environmental factors that act specifically during the
second pregnancy trimester producing a direct damage of the
brain of the fetus. The current available technology doesn’t allow
observing what is happening at cellular level since the human
brain is not exposed to a direct analysis in that stage of the life in
subjects at high risk of developing schizophrenia.
Methods:
In 1977 we began a direct electron microscopic
research of the brain of fetuses at high risk from schizophrenic
mothers in order to finding differences at cellular level in relation
to controls.
Results:
In these studies we have observed within the nuclei of
neurons the presence of complete and incomplete viral particles
that reacted in positive form with antibodies to herpes simplex
hominis type I [HSV1] virus, and mitochondria alterations.
Conclusion:
The importance of these findings can have
practical applications in the prevention of the illness keeping in
mind its direct relation to the aetiology and physiopathology of
schizophrenia. Astudy of the gametes or the amniotic fluid cells in
women at risk of having a schizophrenic offspring is considered.
Of being observed the same alterations that those observed
previously in the cells of the brain of the studied foetuses, it
would intend to these women in risk of having a schizophrenic
descendant, previous information of the results, the voluntary
medical interruption of the pregnancy or an early anti HSV1 viral
treatment as preventive measure of the later development of the
illness.
qli23@jhmi.eduDirect evidence of viral infection and mitochondrial
alterations in the brain of fetuses at high risk for
schizophrenia
Segundo Mesa Castillo
Havana Psychiatric Hospital, Cuba
RRJMHS 2018
Volume: 7