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Severe tick-borne encephalitis following passive immunization

European Journal of Pediatrics volume 155, pages 775–779 (1996)Cite this article

Abstract

Abstract

We report on a 5-year-old girl with an unusually severe course of tick-borne encephalitis following passive immunization with specific hyperimmune globulin after a tick bite in an endemic area. Serial investigations of the CSF revealed intrathecal production of specific antibodies paralleled by increasing numbers of B-cells after initial T-cell pleocytosis. Focal central lesions were evident on MRI.

Conclusion

The severity of the presented case questions the benefit of passive immunization and rather justifies consideration of vaccine recommendation to residents and travellers to areas endemic for tick-borne encephalitis virus.

Abbreviations

ICU :

intensive care unit

TBE :

tick-borne encephalitis

TBEV :

tick-borne encephalitis virus

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Author information

Affiliations

  1. Universitätskinderklinik, Steinwiesstrasse 75, CH-8032, Zürich, Switzerland

    K. Waldvogel, T. Huisman, E. Boltshauer & D. Nadal

  2. Institute of Virology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland

    W. Bossart

Authors
  1. K. Waldvogel
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  2. W. Bossart
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  3. T. Huisman
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  4. E. Boltshauer
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  5. D. Nadal
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Waldvogel, K., Bossart, W., Huisman, T. et al. Severe tick-borne encephalitis following passive immunization. Eur J Pediatr 155, 775–779 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02002905

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02002905

Key words

  • Tick-borne encephalitis
  • Passive immunization
  • Sequalae
  • Cerebrospinal fluid
  • Neuroimaging