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Volume 24, Number 7—July 2018
Research

Virus RNA Load in Patients with Tick-Borne Encephalitis, Slovenia

Ana Saksida, Nina Jakopin, Mateja Jelovšek, Nataša Knap, Luka Fajs, Lara Lusa, Stanka Lotrič-Furlan, Petra Bogovič, Maja Arnež, Franc Strle, and Tatjana Avšič-ŽupancComments to Author 
Author affiliations: University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana Faculty of Medicine, Slovenia (A. Saksida, N. Jakopin, M. Jelovšek, N. Knap, L. Fajs, L. Lusa, T. Avšič-Županc); University Medical Center Ljubljana, Ljubljana (S. Lotrič-Furlan, P. Bogovič, M. Arnež, F. Strle)

Main Article

Table

Characteristics of 80 patients with TBEV RNA in serum obtained during initial phase of TBE, Slovenia*

Characteristic Value 95% CI†
Sex
F 43 (53.8) 42.2–64.9
M
37 (46.2)
35.0–57.8
Median age, y (IQR) 48.5 (31–60.8) 42.0–50.5
F 52 (30–63) 41.1–53.2
M
47 (33–59)
39.1– 51.4
History of tick bite
68 (85.0)
75.3–92.0
Initial (first) phase of TBE
Leukopenia‡ 71 (88.8) 79.7–94.7
Thrombocytopenia§ 52 (65.0) 53.5–75.3
Duration of first phase (days), median (IQR)
6 (5–8)
5.9–6.7
Asymptomatic interval
Duration, d, median (IQR)
10 (7–13)
9.5–11.7
Second (meningoencephalitic) phase of TBE
CSF findings
Cell count × 106/L, median (IQR) 57 (25–104.8) 64.6–122.6
Protein concentration, mg/L, median (IQR) 0.54 (0.40–0.74) 0.54–0.68
Serum antibodies to TBEV¶
IgM 80 (100.0) 95.5–100.0
IgG
71 (88.7)
79.7–94.7
Severity of acute illness
Quantitative assessment
Mild 28 (35.0) 24.7–46.5
Moderate 45 (56.3) 44.7–67.3
Severe 7 (8.7) 3.6–17.2
Clinical classification
Mild 29 (36.2) 25.8–47.8
Moderate 45 (56.3) 44.7–67.3
Severe 6 (7.5) 2.8–15.6

*Values are no. (%) patients unless otherwise noted. CSF, cerebrospinal fluid; IQR, interquartile range; TBE, tick-borne encephalitis; TBEV, TBE virus.
†For the population percentage or the population mean.
‡Blood leukocyte count <4 × 109/L.
§Blood platelet count <140 × 109/L.
¶Findings obtained during second (meningoencephalitic) phase of illness at initial examination; all IgG-negative patients later seroconverted.

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Page created: June 18, 2018
Page updated: June 18, 2018
Page reviewed: June 18, 2018
The conclusions, findings, and opinions expressed by authors contributing to this journal do not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Public Health Service, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the authors' affiliated institutions. Use of trade names is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by any of the groups named above.
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