In Vitro Analysis of Cerebral Spinal Fluids From Cases of First Break Psychoses

infectious agent associated with the etiology and pathology of

schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, we have analyzed in cell

culture the cell fraction from a pool of cerebrospinal fluids

(CSFs) from cases of first-break psychoses. Pellets from low

speed centrifugation of CSFs from eighteen individuals were

pooled and then used as the inculum on primary human foreskin

fibroblasts. Cells were monitored daily for viral cytopathic

effect. After three serial subcultures (passages) cells were sent

for analysis by electron microscopy. In this preliminary report

of the data we will show a virus-like particle seen in the Golgi

apparatus of inoculated but not uninoculated cells. In addition,

virus-like inclusions are seen in the cytoplasm of inoculated

cells. The particles and inclusions resemble in many ways virus

particles and cellular inclusions formed by members of the virus

family Bunyaviridae. Association of the particles with

disease state of the patients has not been conclusively