[Borreliae as possible antagonists of tick-borne encephalitis virus: parasitologic and clinical aspects]

An attempt was made to compare the Borrelia-TBE-virus interface in Ixodes ticks and in patients. The authors suppose that Borrelia might suppress viral replication in ticks and in TBE-susceptible individuals. Whether antibiotics (particularly representatives of the tetracycline group) may be essential in treating tick-borne diseases is also discussed. Examples of antibiotic suppression of Borrelia that made the clinic presentation of encephalitis more severe as a consequence are analyzed and discussed. The calculated risk for borreliosis or tick-borne encephalitis and the actual morbidity rates were compared. Possible reasons for disagreement in the results are also discussed.