Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 25, 2026

Intracerebroventricular and Intravascular Injection of Viral Particles and Fluorescent Microbeads into the Neonatal Brain
05:51

Intracerebroventricular and Intravascular Injection of Viral Particles and Fluorescent Microbeads into the Neonatal Brain

Published on: July 24, 2016

Tick-borne encephalitis in a 3-month-old child

H M Grubbauer1, H J Dornbusch, D Spork

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, University of Graz, Austria.

European Journal of Pediatrics
|October 1, 1992
PubMed

Insights

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) can affect infants under 12 months, challenging previous assumptions. This case highlights the need for considering TBE prevention in very young children in endemic areas.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a viral infection transmitted by ticks, primarily affecting the central nervous system.
  • Historically, TBE has not been documented in infants under 12 months of age.

Observation:

  • A 3.5-month-old infant presented with serologically confirmed tick-borne encephalitis.
  • The infant had a history of a tick bite 3.5 weeks prior to symptom onset.
  • The family resides in a TBE endemic region, and the infant exhibited no prodromal symptoms, with a monophasic disease course.

Findings:

  • This case demonstrates that tick-borne encephalitis can occur in infants younger than 12 months.
  • The clinical presentation in this infant was acute and monophasic, without preceding prodromal signs.

Implications:

  • Prophylactic treatment with hyperimmunoglobulin post-tick bite should be considered for infants in endemic areas.
  • While active immunization is recommended after one year of age, this case suggests a need for cautious evaluation of TBE risk in younger infants.

More Related Videos

A Model for Epilepsy of Infectious Etiology using Theiler's Murine Encephalomyelitis Virus05:33

A Model for Epilepsy of Infectious Etiology using Theiler's Murine Encephalomyelitis Virus

Published on: June 23, 2022

Detection of Polyfunctional T Cells in Children Vaccinated with Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine via the Flow Cytometry Technique09:37

Detection of Polyfunctional T Cells in Children Vaccinated with Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine via the Flow Cytometry Technique

Published on: September 23, 2022

Related Concept Videos

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever01:26

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is a severe tick-borne illness caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, a Gram-negative, coccobacillary bacterium. This pathogen is an obligate intracellular parasite, requiring a host cell for replication. Transmission occurs through the bite of an infected tick. In the United States, the most important vectors are Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick) and Dermacentor andersoni (Rocky Mountain wood tick), though other tick species may also serve as vectors.
Viral Meningitis01:18

Viral Meningitis

Viral meningitis is the most common form of meningitis and is often referred to as aseptic meningitis to indicate the absence of bacterial involvement. It is generally milder than bacterial meningitis, with symptoms including fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, nausea, photophobia, and vomiting. Rarely, more severe manifestations or death may occur. Common causative agents include enteroviruses, particularly coxsackie A and B viruses and echoviruses, all members of the Enterovirus genus...
Arboviral Encephalitis01:25

Arboviral Encephalitis

Arboviral encephalitis refers to brain inflammation caused by arthropod-borne viruses, particularly those transmitted through mosquito vectors. Among these, West Nile virus (WNV), a member of the Flaviviridae family, is a significant public health concern. WNV is an enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus. Human infection typically begins when an infected mosquito introduces the virus into the dermis during feeding. The primary transmission cycle involves birds as amplifying hosts...
Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction01:22

Bacterial Meningitis I: Introduction

Bacterial meningitis is a severe, life-threatening inflammation of the meninges, particularly the pia mater and arachnoid mater, affecting the subarachnoid space, ventricles, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). If untreated, it can lead to significant neurological complications or death.Causative AgentsCommon pathogens vary with age and immune status. In adults, major organisms include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Haemophilus influenzae. Streptococcus agalactiae (group B...
Encephalitis l: Introduction01:19

Encephalitis l: Introduction

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...
Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology01:26

Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by direct viral invasion or immune-mediated mechanisms triggered by infections or tumors. Both processes lead to neuronal injury, disrupted neurotransmission, and diverse neurological symptoms, often with overlapping clinical and pathological features.Autoimmune EncephalitisIn autoimmune encephalitis, antibodies target neuronal antigens on cell surfaces, synapses, or within neurons. A key example is anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can...