Viral infections and risk of mental illness: A Mendelian randomization study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Prior epidemiological evidence suggests associations between viral infections and psychiatric disorders, yet causal relationships remain insufficiently characterized. This study aims to investigate potential causal links using genetic instrumental variables.

Methods

A two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was conducted using pooled European-ancestry genomic data. Exposures included hepatitis B virus (HBV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), human papillomavirus (HPV), and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infections. Outcomes encompassed generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), schizophrenia (SCH), major depressive disorder (MDD), and manic episodes. Causal estimates w

SUBMITTER: Huang JW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12494846 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature