TICK-BORNE ENCEPHALITIS VIRUS INFECTION IN HUMANS

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.