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Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus Seropositivity among Tick Infested Individuals in Serbia
Pavle Banović1,2, Dasiel Obregón3,4, Dragana Mijatović1
1Ambulance for Lyme Borreliosis and Other Tick-Borne Diseases, Pasteur Institute Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia.
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)
|April 3, 2021
Summary
Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) exposure is a significant risk in Serbia, particularly for males. This study highlights the need for active TBEV surveillance due to potential TBEV foci identified.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Virology
- Public Health
Background:
- Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), caused by TBE virus (TBEV), is a serious neurological disease.
- Serbia lacks active TBEV surveillance despite TBE being a notifiable disease since 2004.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess TBEV exposure in tick-infested individuals in Serbia.
- To identify potential TBEV foci and evaluate TBEV risk in the Serbian population.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study of 113 tick-infested individuals and 50 healthy controls in 2020.
- Serological screening for anti-TBEV antibodies using indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFA).
- Analysis of tick species, focusing on Ixodes ricinus.
Main Results:
- TBEV seroprevalence was 13.27% in tick-infested individuals versus 4% in controls.
- Male individuals exposed to tick bites had a significantly higher risk (RR=5.1) of TBEV seropositivity.
- No TBE cases were observed, but early Lyme borreliosis was detected in seven seropositive individuals.
Conclusions:
- The Serbian population faces a high risk of TBEV exposure.
- Potential TBEV transmission foci were identified in rural areas, including Fruška Gora.
- Implementation of active TBEV surveillance is recommended to assess the disease's impact in Serbia.
