[Problems of differential diagnosis in tick-borne encephalitis-induced polyradiculitis]

In about 10% of cases, tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) presents with additional myeloradiculitic features mimicking acute poliomyelitis, which can rarely appear as the sole symptom. We report on a 59-year-old man infected with TBE in Thuringia,Germany, who developed polyradiculitis with rapidly progressive, predominantly proximal tetraparesis and respiratory failure. We discuss the differential diagnosis and the epidemiological relevance in conjunction with a second typical case of TBE acquired in the same region and time period.