Tick-borne encephalitis presenting as fever without localising signs
By Linda on Nov 16, 2009 in General News, Infections
Journal European Journal of Pediatrics
Patrick Michael Meyer1 Contact Information, Hanspeter Zimmermann2 and Philippe Goetschel1
Received: 9 August 2009 Accepted: 12 October 2009 Published online: 4
November 2009
Abstract
Introduction Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) presents without neurologic
symptoms in 19% in children less than 16 years in Switzerland
(2000–2008). In these cases, fever can be the only leading manifestation.
Case series We report on four hospitalised children who had TBE and
presented as fever without localising signs (FWLS) between 2000 and 2008
in an endemic area in Switzerland.
Conclusion TBE infection has to be considered in the differential
diagnosis of FWLS in endemic areas. Foremost, FWLS characterised by a
biphasic fever course and accompanied by headache in patients in a
reduced general condition. Affirming that in patients presenting as FWLS
also cases of TBE are contained, this disease is underreported.
Keywords Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) – Fever without localising signs
(FWLS) – Children – Switzerland
Financial Support: None.
No authors have any financial/conflicting interests to disclose.
All authors were involved in the retrospective study and in writing the
report.
