Infected Ixodes ricinus ticks are attracted by electromagnetic radiation of 900 MHz

Martyna Frątczak; Blažena Vargová; Piotr Tryjanowski; Igor Majláth; Leszek Jerzak; Juraj Kurimský; Roman Cimbala; Łukasz Jankowiak; Zsolt Conka; Viktória Majláthová

doi:10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101416

Infected Ixodes ricinus ticks are attracted by electromagnetic radiation of 900 MHz

Ticks Tick Borne Dis. 2020 Jul;11(4):101416. doi: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101416. Epub 2020 Mar 19.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 71C, 60-625 Poznań, Poland.
² Centre of Applied Science, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, Komenského 73, Košice, Slovakia.
³ Institute of Biology and Ecology, Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice, Srobarova 2, 041 80 Kosice, Slovakia.
⁴ Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Zielona Góra, Prof. Z. Szafrana St. 1, 65-516 Zielona Góra, Poland.
⁵ Department of Electrical Power Engineering, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics, Technical University of Kosice, Masiarska 74, 041 20 Kosice, Slovakia.
⁶ Department of Vertebrate Anatomy and Zoology, University of Szczecin, Wąska 13, 71-412 Szczecin, Poland.
⁷ Institute of Biology and Ecology, Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice, Srobarova 2, 041 80 Kosice, Slovakia. Electronic address: viktoria.majlathova@upjs.sk.

PMID: 32209348
DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101416

Abstract

The electromagnetic field (EMF) is known to influence functions of the nervous, cardiovascular and reproductive systems of many animals, including ticks. The aim of this study was to test the behavior of ticks in the presence of radio-frequency EMF. For testing, 160 adult male and 140 adult female unfed Ixodes ricinus ticks were used. Individuals were exposed to 900 MHz EMF in the Radiation-Shielded Tube (RST). Ticks were attracted to the irradiated area. This effect was significantly stronger for ticks infected with Rickettsia spp., suggesting that pathogens can alter the ticks' response to environmental stimuli. These results lead to the question of whether man-made EMF may have an impact on I. ricinus activity and, as such, be a contributing factor to the ongoing changes in the distribution of the tick and its pathogens currently observed in Europe and elsewhere.

Keywords: Borrelia; EMF; Electromagnetic sense; Prevention; Rickettsia.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Borrelia burgdorferi Group / physiology*
Electromagnetic Fields*
Electromagnetic Radiation*
Female
Ixodes / microbiology
Ixodes / physiology
Ixodes / radiation effects*
Male
Rickettsia / physiology*
Taxis Response