Recent studies have suggested that DNA variations in the CCK-AR gene might predispose individuals to schizophrenia and particularly to auditory hallucinations (AH). The aim of this study is to assess the association between AH, using a specific scale for AH in schizophrenia (PSYRATS), and the CCK-AR polymorphism at 779 in a Spanish sample. A total of 105 DSM-IV schizophrenic patients with AH and 93 unrelated controls were studied. Twenty-two patients were considered as persistent auditory hallucinators, which showed similar clinical and demographic characteristic than patients with episodic AH, but with the exception of the PSYRATS values. The persistent AH group showed an excess of the A1 allele when was compared with episodic or control groups. Our data support the possible role of the CCK-AR gene in the development of persistent AH in schizophrenic patients.

Toxoplasma gondii is a food-borne and orofecal microorganism which produces chronic infection, and attempts have been made to prove its negative association with atopy in the context of the hygiene hypothesis. Anisakis simplex is a fish parasite associated with chronic urticaria (CU) in endemic regions. We analysed the relationship between both infectious agents in CU. We included 42 patients with chronic urticaria (18 patients with CU associated with A. simplex sensitization and 24 not sensitized CU patients). Patients were assessed for atopy by a skin prick test (SPT) against common aeroallergens and for respiratory symptoms. Anisakis simplex sensitization was assessed by SPT and specific IgE by CAP fluoro-enzyme immunoassay (CAP-FEIA). Anti-T. gondii IgG levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). CU patients were analysed with respect to T. gondii seropositivity, A. simplex sensitization, atopy and immigrant status. The seroprevalence of T. gondii was 40.5% in CU patients and 42.1% in the control group. Immigrants were more frequently infected by T. gondii (41.2% versus 12%; P =0.036). Anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies were associated with past A. simplex parasitism (odds ratio 6.73; P =0.03) and independently with atopic sensitization (odds ratio 5.85; P =0.04). In CU patients, T. gondii has no protective effect on atopic sensitization or A. simplex sensitization.

Estudios recientes han propuesto que variaciones del ADN en el gen del receptor A de la pancreocimina (CCK-RA) podrían predisponer a los individuos a la esquizofrenia y particularmente a las alucinaciones auditivas’ (AA). El propósito de este estudio es evaluar la asociación entre las AA, utilizando una escala específica para ellas en la esquizofrenia (PSYRATS), y el polimorfismo del RA-CCK en 779 en una muestra española. Se estudió un total de 105 pacientes esquizofrénicos del DSM-IV con AA y 93 controles no relacionados. Se consideró que 22 pacientes tenían alucinaciones auditivas persistentes, y mostraban características clínicas y demográficas similares a los pacientes con AA episódicas, con la excepción de los valores de la PSYRATS. El grupo de AA persistentes mostró una mayor cantidad de alelo Al cuando se comparó con los grupos de alucinaciones episódicas o de control. Nuestros datos apoyan el posible papel del gen del RA-CCK en el desarrollo de AA persistentes en los pacientes esquizofrénicos.