Comparison of Tick-Borne Encephalitis Clinical Disease in Children and Adults: Population-Based study in Latvia, 2018–2020

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Description

This study was aimed to compare and reevaluate symptomatology and clinical findings of Tick-borne Encephalitis (TBE) in children and adults, as various reports suggest that childhood TBE disease severity might be undervalued. . This was descriptive cross-sectional study that includes all reported laboratory-confirmed TBE cases in Latvia during 2018-2020. Nationwide population-based surveillance for TBE virus (TBEV) infected cases was conducted in collaboration with the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the National Reference Laboratory, and 15 hospitals of Latvia. After informed consent, clinical and laboratory data were collected by interview and review of medical records. All cases were categorized into age groups: children (1-17 years) and adults (18+ years). . From 2018-2020, population-based surveillance identified 716 TBEV-infected cases in Latvia. Of them, 46 (6%) were in children. TBE without CNS involvement was detected in 129 patients; non-CNS TBE was seen in 4/46 (8.7%) children compared to 125/670 (18.7%) adults. Analyzing TBE cases with CNS involvement, most common clinical form for children and adults was meningitis – 86% and 87% respectively. All 13 (2%) deaths and all 21 patient (3%) discharged from the hospital with persisting paresis were in adults. . Although childhood TBE is considered to be a mild disease, mainly without CNS involvement, population-based data of Latvia demonstrates that TBE is also a potentially dangerous neurological illness in children. TBE follows similar clinical course in children and adults, mainly meningitis. However, in adults TBE more frequently progress to severe even lethal consequences.
Period29 Mar 2023
Event titleRSU International Research Conference 2023: Knowledge for Use in Practice
Event typeConference
OrganiserRīga Stradiņš University
LocationRiga, LatviaShow on map
Degree of RecognitionInternational

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