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. 2019 Feb 26;9(1):2839.
doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-39352-6.

Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) of the brain in patients with tick-borne encephalitis

Radosław Zawadzki  1 , Bożena Kubas  2 , Marcin Hładuński  2 , Olga Zajkowska  3 , Joanna Zajkowska  4 , Dorota Jurgilewicz  2 , Adam Garkowski  5 , Sławomir Pancewicz  4 , Urszula Łebkowska  5
Affiliations

Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) of the brain in patients with tick-borne encephalitis

Radosław Zawadzki et al. Sci Rep. .

Abstract

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a disease caused by a tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) belonging to the Flaviviridae family. The aforementioned virus is transmitted by the bite of infected ticks. In the recent years, TBEV has become a serious public health problem with a steady increase in its incidence, mainly due to the climate changes and spreading the infected ticks into new territories. The standard protocol of TBE diagnosis involves the serological laboratory test with a minor role of imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging. Long-term complications affecting patients daily activities are reported in about 40-50% of the cases. However, no changes are revealed in the laboratory tests or the imaging examination. The development of new imaging techniques such as proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) can broaden the knowledge about TBE, contributing to its prevention. The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of 1H-MRS of the brain in patients with TBE. Compared to controls, a statistically significant decrease in the N-acetylaspartate /creatine ratio was found bilaterally in the right and left thalamus as well as a statistically significant increase in the choline/creatine ratio in the right and left thalamus.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Spatial localization of the VOI in the in the basal ganglia (A,B) thalami (C,D) hemispheres of cerebellum (E,F).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Sample spectra for healthy controls (upper panel) and patients with TBE (lower panel) from the six volumes of interest.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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