Infected Ixodes ricinus ticks are attracted by electromagnetic radiation of 900 MHz.
Borrelia
EMF
Electromagnetic sense
Prevention
Rickettsia
Journal
Ticks and tick-borne diseases
ISSN: 1877-9603
Titre abrégé: Ticks Tick Borne Dis
Pays: Netherlands
ID NLM: 101522599
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
07 2020
07 2020
Historique:
received:
07
05
2019
revised:
12
03
2020
accepted:
16
03
2020
pubmed:
27
3
2020
medline:
17
3
2021
entrez:
27
3
2020
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
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.
Identifiants
pubmed: 32209348
pii: S1877-959X(19)30197-9
doi: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101416
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
101416Informations de copyright
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