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.
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.
Authors: Mikael Sundin; Magnus E A Hansson; Mona-Lisa Engman; Claes Orvell; Lars Lindquist; Katarina Wide; Karl-Johan Lidefelt Journal: Eur J Pediatr Date: 2011-08-13 Impact factor: 3.183