Tick-borne diseases in childhood: epidemiology, clinical features and prevention
Keywords:
tick-borne diseases, Lyme borreliosis, Mediterranean spotted fever, tick-borne encephalitisAbstract
Tick-borne diseases represent a significant epidemiological and clinical concern in the pediatric population, shaped by the complex interactions between vectors, pathogens and environmental factors. This review summarizes current data on the distribution of major tick-borne infections in Bulgaria, including Lyme borreliosis, Mediterranean spotted fever and tick-borne encephalitis, with emphasis on regional patterns and trends associated with climatic changes. The characteristic clinical manifestations across pediatric age groups, diagnostic approaches and therapeutic regimens are analyzed based on contemporary international and national guidelines. Pre-exposure and post-exposure preventive strategies, including the role of specific immunoprophylaxis against tick-borne encephalitis virus, are also discussed. The review highlights the need for continuous epidemiological surveillance and refinement of diagnostic algorithms to improve the understanding and control of tick-borne diseases in childhood.
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Copyright (c) 2026 A. Stefanova, Y. Uzunova (Author)
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Journal Bulgarian Medical Journal (Български медицински журнал / Bulgarian Medical Journal)
