ABSTRACT
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus is a member of the mammalian tick-borne group of the genus Flavivirus, within the family Flaviviridae [1-3]. Beside TBE virus, other genetically and antigenically related viruses; that is, Louping ill virus, Powassan virus, Omsk hemorrhagic fever virus, Alkuhurma hemorrhagic fever virus, Kyasanur Forest disease virus, and Langat virus can also cause human diseases of differingseverity [4]. This group is further known as the TBE virus serocomplex. The large homology between these viruses and other medically important mosquito-borne aviviruses (i.e., yellow fever, dengue, Japanese encephalitis, and West Nile virus) has practical implications in differential diagnostics due to cross-reactivity.
