Serious tick-borne infections - considering the strengths and weaknesses of currently used laboratory diagnostic methods.

The laboratory diagnosis of tick-borne infections is a major interdisciplinary issue, closely linked not only to advances in molecular biological methods but also to changes in ecosystems and biodiversity caused by climatic and anthropogenic factors. These factors significantly influence the epidemiological situation both globally and in the Czech Republic, where a marked increase in the incidence of serious tick-borne infections has been observed in recent years. Current diagnostic approaches combine indirect serological methods (e.g., ELISA, Western blot, and immunofluorescence assays) with direct molecular techniques such as PCR and RT-PCR. The choice of an appropriate method depends on the clinical stage of the disease, timing of sample collection, and the type of biological material used. Insufficient sensitivity in the early phases of infection and poorly timed sampling can lead to false-negative results. Despite the availability of a wide range of laboratory tools, the proportion of undiagnosed cases remains high, complicating not only clinical decision-making and treatment but also the assessment of the true prevalence of these infections and the planning of targeted epidemiological measures.