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Infectious Diseases · Vector-Borne Infections

Tick-borne infections

Infectiones transmissae per ixodidas

Tick-borne infections are a group of vector-borne diseases transmitted by ixodid ticks, including encephalitis and borreliosis. Early vector identification and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) laboratory analysis are critical for accurate diagnosis.

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Main vectorsTaiga and castor bean ticks transmit encephalitis and borreliosis.
Focal forms of TBEInclude meningoencephalitic and poliomyelitic forms.
DiagnosisELISA, PCR, and cerebrospinal fluid analysis are used.
Lyme diseaseManifests with erythema migrans and nervous system involvement.
2 min readFor medical studentsUpdated 10.10.2026
Material prepared by WhiteCoat Pro editorial team based on platform study guidesPending instructor review

Epidemiology and role of vectors

The transmission of dangerous infections is directly related to the biological species of arthropods and their habitat. The main vectors are:

  • Ixodes persulcatus (taiga tick): transmits taiga encephalitis, borreliosis, and tularemia.
  • Ixodes ricinus (castor bean tick): involved in the transmission of spring-summer encephalitis, Lyme disease, and Q fever.
  • Dermacentor pictus (ornate cow tick): transmits encephalitis, Omsk hemorrhagic fever, and rickettsiosis.
  • Dermacentor marginatus: transmits tick-borne typhus and tularemia.

Epidemiological history necessarily includes facts of tick bites, consumption of unboiled goat or cow milk, as well as staying in endemic areas.

Tick-borne encephalitis: clinical presentation and diagnosis

The disease requires immediate hospitalization in a specialized department. Pre-hospital patient transportation is carried out exclusively on a stretcher with careful handling.

Focal forms include:

  1. Meningoencephalitic.
  2. Poliomyelitic.
  3. Polyradiculoneuritic.

Laboratory confirmation:

  • Blood serum testing: ELISA for IgM and viral antigens, PCR.
  • CSF analysis: immunological and serological tests, PCR.
  • Mandatory neurological examination.
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Ixodid tick-borne borrelioses (Lyme disease)

The infection has several stages of progression with diverse clinical manifestations.

  • Generalized form: characterized by intoxication, fever, cardiac, joint, and ocular involvement, and polylymphadenopathy. Secondary daughter erythema lesions form on the skin following the initial migratory annular erythema at the bite site. Signs of serous inflammation are detected in the CSF during meningitis.
  • Chronic form: manifests with encephalomyelitis, axonal polyneuropathy, chronic acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans, as well as memory and behavioral disorders.

Specific diagnostics rely on serological tests (ELISA, indirect immunofluorescence assay) and polymerase chain reaction.

Differential diagnosis

Tick-borne encephalitis and focal lesions are differentiated from similar pathologies:

  • Other tick-borne infections (borreliosis, ehrlichiosis).
  • Leptospirosis.
  • Meningitis of other etiologies.
  • Enteroviral infections, poliomyelitis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and toxoplasmic encephalitis.

Unlike tick-borne encephalitis, poliomyelitis is characterized by early pelvic organ dysfunction.

How to memorize

Mnemonic (PIK): Pastbichny (Dermacentor), Ixodes (dog/taiga ticks) transmit encephalitis and borreliosis.

Class and exam questions

What tick species transmit tick-borne borreliosis?

Lyme disease (borreliosis) is transmitted by the castor bean tick (Ixodes ricinus) and the taiga tick (Ixodes persulcatus).

What changes are found in the CSF in the generalized form of Lyme disease with meningitis?

Signs of serous inflammation are determined in the cerebrospinal fluid.

What are the rules for transporting a patient with suspected tick-borne encephalitis at the pre-hospital stage?

Gentle patient transportation strictly on a stretcher is required, followed by mandatory hospitalization.

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What else to study on this topic

  • Etiology and structure of the tick-borne encephalomyelitis agent
  • Pathogenesis and morphological brain changes in tick-borne encephalitis
  • Enteroviral meningitis and its differentiation from encephalitis
  • Diagnostic criteria for toxoplasmic encephalitis
  • Features of Guillain-Barré syndrome and poliomyelitis

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Other topics in the "Vector-borne infections" section

Etiology and epidemiology of tick-borne encephalitisPathogenesis of tick-borne encephalitisClinical forms of tick-borne encephalitisDiagnosis of tick-borne encephalitisTreatment of tick-borne encephalitisPrevention of tick-borne encephalitis
The entire «Vector-borne Infections» section

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