9026. Tick-borne encephalitis virus, IgM antibodies

The test detects IgM antibodies to the tick-borne encephalitis virus in the blood serum. IgM is a marker of acute or recent infection, appearing first in response to the virus and typically detectable within 5-7 days of illness onset.

Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBE) is an infectious disease transmitted by the bite of an infected tick. The infection is characterized by an acute course, including fever, intoxication syndrome, and severe central nervous system (CNS) damage. The incubation period for TBE is 7 to 14 days.

The first phase of TBE lasts 1-8 days and is characterized by nonspecific symptoms of intoxication – fever, headache, weakness, myalgia, joint pain, and sometimes nausea. This is followed by a respite of up to 7 days with a temporary improvement in health. In the second phase, meningoencephalitis develops, manifested by severe headache, fever, impaired consciousness, seizures, paresis, impaired coordination, and, in severe cases, coma.

Vaccination and tick bite prevention are the primary protective measures.

IgG testing is used to diagnose the disease, monitor immune status, and plan revaccination.

• For signs of acute neuroinfection (meningitis, encephalitis, impaired coordination, paresis), especially in the spring and summer.
• In cases of biphasic disease – after a brief relief of intoxication symptoms with subsequent development of neurological manifestations.
• For patients with fever of unknown origin following a tick bite or exposure to natural endemic areas.
• For the differential diagnosis of neuroinfections, especially in regions with a high prevalence of tick-borne encephalitis.

• Venous blood

In order to exclude factors that may affect the test results, we recommend to follow the preparation rules: