Interní Med. 2007; 9(7): 328-330

Tick-borne encephalitis

MUDr. Chmelík Václav

Nemocnice České Budějovice a.s., Infekční oddělení

Tick-borne encephalitis is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. It is endemic in many regions of Europe and Asia. Hot spot areas are present in all parts of the Czech Republic. The number of focci is increasing probably due to climate changes. The infection of man is a result of his activity in nature. Outdoor activities of people are changing, and especially elderly people are exposed to natural focci more extensively compared to the past decades. The rapid increase of TBE is a result of these changes. Most of the patients have biphasic course of disease. In the second phase, the central nervous system is affected: meningitis, more serious encephalitis and encephalomyelitis are observed. Encephalitis and encephalomyelitis have temporary or long lasting sequellae very profoundly changing the quality of life. More serious diseases are observed in the elderly. There is no causal therapy, symptomatic treatment has to be very intensive in some patients. TBE vaccination is considered an effective prophylaxis to prevent the disease and has been successfully implemented in the endemic countries. Two safe and efficacious TBE vaccines produced by two manufacturers are available in most European countries. The rapid increase of TBE in the Czech Republic needs a new approach by the state and insurance companies to vaccination and its coverage especially in the elderly people.

Keywords: tick-borne encephalitis, epidemiology, clinical course, vaccination

Published: December 18, 2007  Show citation