Investigating tick-borne encephalitis and borrelial antibodies in patients

Antibiotic Therapy for Patients With Tick-borne Encephalitis and Borrelial Antibodies in Serum

NA · University Medical Centre Ljubljana · NCT03956446

This study is testing if giving antibiotics helps patients in Slovenia with tick-borne encephalitis symptoms and positive borrelial antibodies, even if they don't have Lyme disease.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment80 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity Medical Centre Ljubljana (other)
Locations1 site (Ljubljana)
Trial IDNCT03956446 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study examines patients in Slovenia who present with symptoms of tick-borne encephalitis and have positive borrelial antibodies in their serum. The researchers aim to determine whether these patients benefit from antibiotic treatment, given that they may not have Lyme neuroborreliosis despite the presence of borrelial antibodies. The study involves administering doxycycline and symptomatic therapy while collecting data through questionnaires. The goal is to clarify treatment protocols for patients with potential double infections.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older with clinical signs of tick-borne encephalitis and specific laboratory findings.

Not a fit: Patients who have confirmed Lyme neuroborreliosis or recent borrelial infections will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to more accurate treatment protocols for patients with tick-borne encephalitis and reduce unnecessary antibiotic use.

How similar studies have performed: While there is limited data on this specific approach, similar studies have explored the complexities of co-infections and treatment efficacy, indicating a need for further investigation.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* 18 years or older
* clinical picture compatible with tick-borne encephalitis,
* clear cerebrospinal fluid,
* cerebrospinal pleocytosis (leucocytes in cerebrospinal fluid \>5 x 106/)L,
* positive serum immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against tick-borne encephalitis virus,
* positive serum IgG antibodies against Lyme borreliae.

Exclusion Criteria:

* isolation of B.burgdorferi sensu lato from cerebrospinal fluid,
* positive intrathecal borrelial antibody production index,
* seroconversion of borrelial IgG antibodies,
* presence of erythema migrans and/or borrelial lymphocytoma in the last month,
* Bannwarth syndrome.

Where this trial is running

Ljubljana

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Tick Borne Encephalitis

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.