Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a potentially fatal disease common in much of Europe and Asia. There is no specific therapy for the treatment of TBE patients. However, several efforts are being made to develop small molecules that specifically interfere with the life cycle of TBE virus. In particular, recently various nucleoside analogues that can inhibit the viral replicase, such as the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase or viral methyltransferases, have been explored. In addition, human or chimeric (i.e., structural chimeras that combine mouse variable domains with human constant domains) monoclonal antibodies with promising potential for post-exposure prophylaxis or early therapy have been developed. This review summarizes the latest directions and experimental approaches that may be used to combat TBE in humans.

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry University of Maryland Baltimore County Baltimore MD USA

Laboratory of Emerging Viral Diseases Veterinary Research Institute Brno Czech Republic; Institute of Parasitology Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences Ceske Budejovice Czech Republic; Institute of Experimental Biology Faculty of Science Masaryk University Brno Czech Republic

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Editorial for the Special Issue: "Tick-Borne Encephalitis"