Indication for Ganciclovir Therapy in a Schizophrenic Patient

Martin*, Jeffrey C. Kopelson, Donavan J. Anderson. Center for

patients with severe psychiatric disorders, including

schizophrenia and manic depression, have confirmed the high

prevalence of infection with stealth viruses. These agents induce

a characteristic, vacuolating, cytopathic effect in normal

fibroblasts. Similar cytopathic effects have been seen in

cultures of blood, cerebrospinal fluid, and tissue biopsies of

patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CSF) and with more overt

neurological illnesses. In preliminary studies involving small

groups of non-psychotic patients, clinical improvements have been

noted following a brief course of ganciclovir therapy. This

observation is consistent with data that at least some stealth

viruses contain herpesvirus-related sequences. It is therefore

proposed to treat a stealth virus culture-positive, psychotic

patient with a 21-day course of ganciclovir administered

intravenously. The particular patient’s illness began in

1987 at age 17 when she was briefly hospitalized for a

mononucleosis-like syndrome. Her personality gradually changed as

she became increasingly depressed and lethargic, leading to a

diagnosis of CFS. She also experienced recurrent rage and panic

reactions. Paranoid delusional thinking and both visual and

auditory hallucinations led in 1990 to a diagnosis of

schizophrenia. Hypothyroidism, complex partial seizures, tremor,

and dementia have also been documented. The patient has been

under custodial care in locked facilities for the last several

years. During the planned gangiclovir therapy, she will be

followed for signs of clinical improvement in sensory, motor,

autonomic, cognitive, and emotional functions. Her blood will

also be monitored using a quantitative stealth virus culture