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TICK-BORNE ENCEPHALITIS

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a viral disease of the central nervous system transmitted through bites of certain vector ticks. It should be considered as a general term encompassing at least three syndromes caused by three subtypes of the tick-borne encephalitis virus, whose range spans an area from France and Scandinavia, across Europe (Central European tick-borne encephalitis), to far eastern Russia (Russian spring-summer sncephalitis).

TBE is considered to be the most relevant and dangerous viral zoonosis in North-east Europe, but also emerging in northern and central regions of the continent. Common ticks like the Castor Bean tick, Ixodes ricinus, and the Taiga tick, Ixodes persulcatus, are thought to be the main reservoir and vector of the pathogen.

Pathogens

Epidemiology

Transmission

Pathogenesis

Diagnosis

Clinical Signs

Treatment and Prevention

References

PATHOGENS

Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV, genus Flavivirus) causes tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), locally known as Russian spring-summer encephalitis (RSSE), Frühsommer-Meningoenzephalitis (FSME), Ryssjukan or Kumlingesjukan. Viruses of the genus Flavivirus form different antigenic complexes. The main complexes of medical importance are TBE (e.g., TBEV, Louping Ill virus, Powassan virus), dengue (dengue virus 1 to 4) and Japanese encephalitis (e.g., West Nile virus and others).

TBEV can be divided into at least three subtypes:

European subtype: mainly transmitted by Ixodes ricinus
Siberian subtype: mainly transmitted by Ixodes persulcatus
Far-Eastern subtype: mainly transmitted by Ixodes persulcatus

The subtypes can be distinguished by molecular means. They comprise different virulence patterns in humans and possibly also in animals.

The family Flaviviridae contains a number of viruses that are known to be transmitted by arthropods to warm-blooded animals during blood feeding. Replication of the virus in the arthropod vector is observed, which may lead to a more effective transmission to the host, as a constant and high virus titre can be reached in the arthropod. These viruses are commonly called ARBO viruses (arthropod-borne) in contrast to those, which are known to be transmitted only mechanically by arthropod vectors.

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