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

Ticks and tick-borne diseases · 2020 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 5645

In a radiation-shielded tube setup, Ixodes ricinus ticks were attracted to the area exposed to 900 MHz EMF. The attraction effect was significantly stronger in ticks infected with Rickettsia spp.

Study snapshot

PublicationTicks and tick-borne diseases · 2020

Study typeanimal

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

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.

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeanimal

Effect directionmixed

PopulationAdult male and female unfed Ixodes ricinus ticks (including ticks infected with Rickettsia spp.)

Sample size300

ExposureRF · 900 MHz

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In a radiation-shielded tube setup, Ixodes ricinus ticks were attracted to the area exposed to 900 MHz EMF. The attraction effect was significantly stronger in ticks infected with Rickettsia spp.

Outcomes measured

Tick behavioral attraction to irradiated area
Difference in attraction response by infection status (Rickettsia spp.)

Limitations

Exposure metrics (e.g., field strength, SAR) not reported in the abstract
Exposure duration not reported in the abstract
Animal/invertebrate behavioral study; generalizability to other species or real-world settings not established in the abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "RF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 900,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Adult male and female unfed Ixodes ricinus ticks (including ticks infected with Rickettsia spp.)",
  "sample_size": 300,
  "outcomes": [
    "Tick behavioral attraction to irradiated area",
    "Difference in attraction response by infection status (Rickettsia spp.)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In a radiation-shielded tube setup, Ixodes ricinus ticks were attracted to the area exposed to 900 MHz EMF. The attraction effect was significantly stronger in ticks infected with Rickettsia spp.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Exposure metrics (e.g., field strength, SAR) not reported in the abstract",
    "Exposure duration not reported in the abstract",
    "Animal/invertebrate behavioral study; generalizability to other species or real-world settings not established in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "Ixodes ricinus",
    "tick behavior",
    "radio-frequency EMF",
    "900 MHz",
    "Rickettsia spp.",
    "attraction",
    "radiation-shielded tube"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

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

Read the original paper →

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