Procalcitonin and C - reactive protein as peripheral inflammatory markers in antipsychotic drug-free schizophrenia patients

Inflammation is considered to be relevant in pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Existing literature indicates that controlling inflammation may be helpful in patient management. Procalcitonin (PCT) is an established marker of inflammation which has not been well studied in context with schizophrenia. The study recruited 34 schizophrenia patients free of antipsychotic treatment and 24 healthy controls without any signs of inflammation. Plasma C reactive protein was quantified using a high sensitivity turbidimetric assay. Plasma PCT levels was estimated by sandwich ELISA. The study ruled out autoimmune antibodies by ANA and RF tests which exclude confounding factors contributing to inflammation. The data shows a subgroup of patients 17/34 (50%) have either elevated PCT or CRP levels. This study is the first to report PCT values in antipsychotic drug-free patients with schizophrenia.