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TICK-BORNE ENCEPHALITIS VIRUS INFECTION IN HUMANS
Introduction:
Tick-borne meningoencephalitis virus is a flavivirus that causes the most important vector-borne central nervous system infection in many countries of Europe and Asia. There are three subtypes of tick-borne encephalitis virus: European, Siberian and the Far-Eastern subtype.
Transmission:
In endemic areas, the virus remains in transmissive cycles between Ixodes ticks and small rodents.
Clinical Picture:
In most cases (70-98%) infection goes asymptomatically. In about one-third of meningitis cases, meningoencephalitis or meningomyelitis is developed. Postencephalytic syndrome may be the complication of the infection, presenting with neurological symptoms.
Diagnosis:
Etiologic diagnosis of tick-borne meningoencephalitis is only made on basis of laboratory analyses. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction is used for determining the presence of virus in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid. Antibodies in blood and cerebrospinal fluid can be detected by serological tests.
Prevention:
The most efficient way to control this potentially severe disease with possible serious long-term consequences is vaccination. It should be recommended to persons who live or travel to endemic areas.
Conclusion:
In Serbia, tick-borne encephalitis virus infection belongs to the list of reportable diseases; however, there are no reported cases because the diagnostics is not performed routinely. We believe that the significance of this zoonosis must be examined in our country and some of its parts because of preliminary positive serological findings found out in Vojvodina as well as because of reported cases in neighboring countries such as Hungary and Croatia and its worldwide distribution.
Insights
Tick-borne meningoencephalitis (TBE) is a significant central nervous system infection. Vaccination is the most effective prevention for those in endemic areas, though diagnostics are crucial for understanding its spread.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Virology
Background:
- Tick-borne meningoencephalitis virus (TBEV) is a flavivirus causing significant central nervous system infections in Europe and Asia.
- TBEV exists in three subtypes: European, Siberian, and Far-Eastern.
- The virus circulates between Ixodes ticks and small rodents in endemic regions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the importance of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) infection as a reportable disease in Serbia.
- To emphasize the need for routine diagnostics and examination of TBEV's significance in Serbia, given preliminary findings and regional cases.
Main Methods:
- Etiologic diagnosis relies on laboratory analyses, including reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for viral detection in blood and cerebrospinal fluid.
- Serological tests are employed to detect antibodies in blood and cerebrospinal fluid.
- The study reviews existing literature and preliminary serological findings in Vojvodina, Serbia.
Main Results:
- Most TBEV infections (70-98%) are asymptomatic.
- Approximately one-third of meningitis cases develop meningoencephalitis or meningomyelitis.
- Postencephalitic syndrome with neurological symptoms is a potential complication.
Conclusions:
- Vaccination is the most efficient control method for TBEV, recommended for individuals in endemic areas.
- Routine diagnostics are not performed in Serbia, leading to no reported cases despite TBEV being a reportable disease.
- Further examination of TBEV's significance in Serbia is warranted due to positive serological findings and cases in neighboring countries.
