TBEV NE
Description
Product Specs
Product Science Overview
Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is a positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus belonging to the family Flaviviridae and genus Flavivirus. It is considered one of the most important arthropod-borne viruses in Europe and Asia, causing approximately 10,000–13,000 cases of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) worldwide each year . The virus is primarily transmitted through the bite of infected ticks, but it can also be contracted through the consumption of non-pasteurized dairy products from infected animals .
The symptoms of TBE can range from subclinical to severe, including mild flu-like illness to lethal encephalitis. The severity of the disease is influenced by the virulence of the TBEV strain and the immune status of the host . The virus primarily targets the central nervous system, leading to inflammation of the brain and spinal cord.
The recombinant TBEV NE refers to a genetically engineered version of the virus, where specific genes or proteins have been modified or replaced to study their functions or to develop vaccines. One of the key proteins studied in recombinant TBEV is the envelope (E) protein, which plays a crucial role in the virus’s ability to infect host cells and its pathogenicity .
Recent research has focused on understanding the role of the E protein in TBEV’s virulence and its interaction with the host’s immune system. For instance, a study identified a highly pathogenic and neurovirulent TBEV strain, 93/783, and found that two amino acid substitutions in the E protein (A83T and A463S) enhanced the virus’s ability to infect neurons and increased its pathogenicity . This research highlights the importance of the E protein in the development of effective vaccines and therapeutic strategies.
Vaccination is the most effective method for preventing TBE. There are two main vaccines available in Europe: FSME-IMMUN® and Encepur®. These vaccines target the E protein of TBEV and have shown high efficacy rates ranging from 90.1% to 98.9% . However, the level of protection can decrease over time, especially in individuals above the age of 60, necessitating booster doses every 3 to 5 years .
