The highest levels of proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines (IFN gamma, CCL3/MIP-1 alpha, CCL2/MCP-1, IP-10) were observed in CcS-11 mice, suggesting that these cytokines/chemokines are associated with a more severe form of TBE in our experimental model. This evidence concerns the gene IFNG and tick-borne encephalitis.