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Šofranková L, Baňas M, Pipová N, Majláth I, Kurimský J, Cimbala R, Pavlík M, Mateos-Hernández L, Šimo L, Majláthová V. Effects of Electromagnetic Radiation on Neuropeptide Transcript Levels in the Synganglion of Ixodes ricinus. Pathogens 2023; 12:1398. [PMID: 38133283 PMCID: PMC10747470 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12121398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Anthropogenic electromagnetic radiation is an important environmental factor affecting the functionality of biological systems. Sensitivity to various frequencies of electromagnetic radiation has been detected in ixodid ticks in the past. However, the physiological aspects of radiation effects have not yet been studied in ticks. In the presented experiment, 360 Ixodes ricinus ticks, 180 males and 180 females, were divided into 16 irradiated and 8 control groups. The irradiated groups were exposed to two different intensities of electromagnetic radiation with a frequency of 900 MHz at different lengths of exposure time. RT-PCR was utilized to determine the changes in mRNA levels in tick synganglia after irradiation. Four randomly selected neuropeptide genes were tested-allatotropin (at), FGLa-related allatostatins (fgla/ast), kinin, and arginine-vasopressin-like peptide (avpl). A significant decrease in transcript levels in all female groups exposed to higher intensity radiofrequency radiation for 1 to 3 h was found. After one hour of radiofrequency exposure, a significant downregulation in allatotropin expression in males was detected. A consistent downregulation of the at gene was detected in males irradiated with at a higher intensity. Unfortunately, the specific functions of the studied neuropeptides in ticks are not known yet, so a more comprehensive study is necessary to describe the effects of EMF on observed neuropeptides. This study represents the first report on the effects of the abiotic environment on tick neurophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lívia Šofranková
- Department of Animal Physiology, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Šrobárova 2, 04180 Košice, Slovakia; (L.Š.); (M.B.); (N.P.); (I.M.)
| | - Miroslav Baňas
- Department of Animal Physiology, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Šrobárova 2, 04180 Košice, Slovakia; (L.Š.); (M.B.); (N.P.); (I.M.)
| | - Natália Pipová
- Department of Animal Physiology, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Šrobárova 2, 04180 Košice, Slovakia; (L.Š.); (M.B.); (N.P.); (I.M.)
| | - Igor Majláth
- Department of Animal Physiology, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Šrobárova 2, 04180 Košice, Slovakia; (L.Š.); (M.B.); (N.P.); (I.M.)
| | - Juraj Kurimský
- Department of Electrical Power Engineering, Faculty of Electrical Engeneering and Informatics, Technical University of Košice, Mäsiarska 74, 04120 Košice, Slovakia; (J.K.); (R.C.); (M.P.)
| | - Roman Cimbala
- Department of Electrical Power Engineering, Faculty of Electrical Engeneering and Informatics, Technical University of Košice, Mäsiarska 74, 04120 Košice, Slovakia; (J.K.); (R.C.); (M.P.)
| | - Marek Pavlík
- Department of Electrical Power Engineering, Faculty of Electrical Engeneering and Informatics, Technical University of Košice, Mäsiarska 74, 04120 Košice, Slovakia; (J.K.); (R.C.); (M.P.)
| | - Lourdes Mateos-Hernández
- Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Unitè Mixte de Recherche de Biologie Molèculaire et d’Immunologie Parasitaires (UMR BIPAR), Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, INRAE, ANSES, F-94700 Maisons-Alfort, France; (L.M.-H.); (L.Š.)
| | - Ladislav Šimo
- Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Unitè Mixte de Recherche de Biologie Molèculaire et d’Immunologie Parasitaires (UMR BIPAR), Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, INRAE, ANSES, F-94700 Maisons-Alfort, France; (L.M.-H.); (L.Š.)
| | - Viktória Majláthová
- Department of Animal Physiology, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Šrobárova 2, 04180 Košice, Slovakia; (L.Š.); (M.B.); (N.P.); (I.M.)
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Bujňáková D, Bucko S, Češkovič M, Kmeť V, Karahutová L. The effect of exposure to non-ionising radiofrequency field on Escherichia coli, Klebsiella oxytoca and Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms. ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY 2023; 44:3813-3819. [PMID: 35506486 DOI: 10.1080/09593330.2022.2074317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
An environment with a higher accumulation of electromagnetic non-ionising radiofrequency (RF) emissions generated by various telecommunication, data transport and navigation devices (mobile phones, Wi-Fi, radar, etc.) may have a major impact on biological systems. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of an electromagnetic field (EMF) on the development of bacterial biofilm. Quantification of biofilm production was done by using microtiter plate assay. Bacterial isolates of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella oxytoca and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were exposed with EMF of frequencies 1-5 and 2.4 GHz with an exposure time 3 or 24 h, respectively. Exposure of bacteria to EMF produced a statistically significant increase in biofilm production mainly at 1, 2 and 4 GHz, and in contrast, a significant inhibition of biofilm development occurred at frequencies 3 and 5 GHz, both with exception of K. oxytoca and P. aeruginosa. Wi-Fi operating at 2.4 GHz caused biofilm reduction. The results indicate that EMF exposure act on bacteria in both ways, depending on the frequency: as stressful by enhancing bacterial biofilm formation (under environmental stress, bacteria produce a polysaccharide matrix and aggregate to form biofilms to increase virulence and resistance), although some frequencies leading to biofilm damage could be caused by changes to the physicochemical properties of bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dobroslava Bujňáková
- Centre of Biosciences of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute of Animal Physiology, Košice, Slovak Republic
| | - Samuel Bucko
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics, Technical University of Košice, Košice, Slovak Republic
| | - Marek Češkovič
- Faculty of Aeronautics, Technical University of Košice, Košice, Slovak Republic
| | - Vladimír Kmeť
- Centre of Biosciences of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute of Animal Physiology, Košice, Slovak Republic
| | - Lívia Karahutová
- Centre of Biosciences of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Institute of Animal Physiology, Košice, Slovak Republic
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Baňas M, Šofranková L, Kurimský J, Pavlík M, Pikalík M, Majláthová V, Cimbala R, Pipová N, Wurfl L, Majláth I. Interspecific differences in the behavioral response of ticks exposed to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2023; 91:477-485. [PMID: 37819593 PMCID: PMC10615928 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-023-00847-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Artificial electromagnetic radiation is a new environmental factor that affects animals. Experiments with the effect of radio frequency electromagnetic radiation were focused on both vertebrates and invertebrates. Ticks showed a significant affinity to radiation. Our study is a continuation of this research and its aim was to monitor the effect of radiation on the behavior of four tick species: Ixodes ricinus, Dermacentor reticulatus, Dermacentor marginatus and Haemaphysalis inermis. In total 1,200 ticks, 300 of each species, were tested in modules allowing the choice of an exposed or shielded area. During the test, the ticks were exposed to electro-magnetic radiation of 900 MHz for 24 h. The position of the individuals was recorded and we evaluated the obtained data statistically. We observed a significant preference to the exposed area in both sexes of I. ricinus. Males of D. reticulatus and D. marginatus also showed an affinity to radiation, but not females of both species, nor females and males of H. inermis. The results of the study support the assumption that ticks perceive the electromagnetic field and the observed differences in their response have the potential to help understand the mechanism of perception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miroslav Baňas
- Institute of biology and ecology, Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice, Srobarova 2, Kosice, 041 80, Slovak Republic
| | - Lívia Šofranková
- Institute of biology and ecology, Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice, Srobarova 2, Kosice, 041 80, Slovak Republic
| | - Juraj Kurimský
- Department of Electrical Power Engineering, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics, Technical University of Kosice, Masiarska 74, Kosice, 041 20, Slovak Republic
| | - Marek Pavlík
- Department of Electrical Power Engineering, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics, Technical University of Kosice, Masiarska 74, Kosice, 041 20, Slovak Republic
| | - Mário Pikalík
- Institute of biology and ecology, Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice, Srobarova 2, Kosice, 041 80, Slovak Republic
| | - Viktória Majláthová
- Institute of biology and ecology, Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice, Srobarova 2, Kosice, 041 80, Slovak Republic.
| | - Roman Cimbala
- Department of Electrical Power Engineering, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics, Technical University of Kosice, Masiarska 74, Kosice, 041 20, Slovak Republic
| | - Natália Pipová
- Institute of biology and ecology, Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice, Srobarova 2, Kosice, 041 80, Slovak Republic
| | - Liliana Wurfl
- Boston Children´s Hospital, 300 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Igor Majláth
- Institute of biology and ecology, Pavol Jozef Safarik University in Kosice, Srobarova 2, Kosice, 041 80, Slovak Republic
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Behavioral Repertoire on a Vertical Rod-An Ethogram in Dermacentor reticulatus Ticks. LIFE (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:life12122086. [PMID: 36556451 PMCID: PMC9787772 DOI: 10.3390/life12122086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Ticks are important vectors of pathogens that endanger humans and animals. Study of their behavior under laboratory conditions is important for both predicting their behavior in natural conditions and understanding their involvement in transmission cycles of pathogens, which may lead to effective prevention of tick-borne disease transmission or establishment of effective preventive measures. The aim of our study was to describe the behavior of D. reticulatus ticks using laboratory assay. We focused on the description of individual behavioral units during their vertical movement. The assay consisted of glass beakers filled with sand and an embedded glass rod. We observed 10 different behavioral units, 4 of which have not yet been described: body posturing called "jogger", leg grooming, and body or leg jerking. The most frequent tick behavior observed was an upwards positioning of the two front legs while the body remained motionless (88.9%). Other common observations were both horizontal (63%) and vertical (58.0%) body posturing with all legs lowered, followed by questing behavior (51.9%). Ticks spent the most time questing (75.2%), crawling (54.7%), and grooming legs on the right side (23%). We did not observe any differences between males and females.
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Levitt BB, Lai HC, Manville AM. Effects of non-ionizing electromagnetic fields on flora and fauna, Part 2 impacts: how species interact with natural and man-made EMF. REVIEWS ON ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH 2022; 37:327-406. [PMID: 34243228 DOI: 10.1515/reveh-2021-0050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Ambient levels of nonionizing electromagnetic fields (EMF) have risen sharply in the last five decades to become a ubiquitous, continuous, biologically active environmental pollutant, even in rural and remote areas. Many species of flora and fauna, because of unique physiologies and habitats, are sensitive to exogenous EMF in ways that surpass human reactivity. This can lead to complex endogenous reactions that are highly variable, largely unseen, and a possible contributing factor in species extinctions, sometimes localized. Non-human magnetoreception mechanisms are explored. Numerous studies across all frequencies and taxa indicate that current low-level anthropogenic EMF can have myriad adverse and synergistic effects, including on orientation and migration, food finding, reproduction, mating, nest and den building, territorial maintenance and defense, and on vitality, longevity and survivorship itself. Effects have been observed in mammals such as bats, cervids, cetaceans, and pinnipeds among others, and on birds, insects, amphibians, reptiles, microbes and many species of flora. Cyto- and geno-toxic effects have long been observed in laboratory research on animal models that can be extrapolated to wildlife. Unusual multi-system mechanisms can come into play with non-human species - including in aquatic environments - that rely on the Earth's natural geomagnetic fields for critical life-sustaining information. Part 2 of this 3-part series includes four online supplement tables of effects seen in animals from both ELF and RFR at vanishingly low intensities. Taken as a whole, this indicates enough information to raise concerns about ambient exposures to nonionizing radiation at ecosystem levels. Wildlife loss is often unseen and undocumented until tipping points are reached. It is time to recognize ambient EMF as a novel form of pollution and develop rules at regulatory agencies that designate air as 'habitat' so EMF can be regulated like other pollutants. Long-term chronic low-level EMF exposure standards, which do not now exist, should be set accordingly for wildlife, and environmental laws should be strictly enforced - a subject explored in Part 3.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Henry C Lai
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Albert M Manville
- Advanced Academic Programs, Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Environmental Sciences and Policy, Johns Hopkins University, Washington DC Campus, USA
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Vargová B, Majláth I, Kurimský J, Cimbala R, Zbojovský J, Tryjanowski P, Majláthová V. Locomotor Activity of Ixodes ricinus Females in 900 MHz Electromagnetic Field. LIFE (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:life12060884. [PMID: 35743915 PMCID: PMC9228494 DOI: 10.3390/life12060884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Mobile telecommunications technologies have become an indispensable part of people’s lives of all ages around the world. They affect personal life and social interactions and are a work tool in the work routine. Network availability requirements and the quality of the Internet connection are constantly increasing, to which telecommunications providers are responding. Humans and wildlife live in the permanent presence of electromagnetic radiation with just a minor knowledge of the impact this radiation has. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of a 900 MHz electromagnetic field (EMF) on the locomotor behavior of female Ixodes ricinus ticks under laboratory conditions. Experiments were performed in the radiation-shielded tube (RST) test and radiation-shielded circular open-field arena placed in an anechoic chamber. Altogether, 480 female I. ricinus ticks were tested. In the RST arena, no differences in preference for irradiated and shielded parts of experimental modules were observed; in the open-field arena, the time spent and the trajectory passed was significantly longer in the part exposed to the EMF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blažena Vargová
- Center for Applied Research, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice, Komenského 73, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia;
| | - Igor Majláth
- Institute of Biology and Ecology, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Šrobárova 2, 041 80 Košice, Slovakia;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +42-19-0367-6316
| | - Juraj Kurimský
- Department of Electrical Power Engineering, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics, Technical University of Košice, Mäsiarska 74, 041 20 Košice, Slovakia; (J.K.); (R.C.); (J.Z.)
| | - Roman Cimbala
- Department of Electrical Power Engineering, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics, Technical University of Košice, Mäsiarska 74, 041 20 Košice, Slovakia; (J.K.); (R.C.); (J.Z.)
| | - Ján Zbojovský
- Department of Electrical Power Engineering, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics, Technical University of Košice, Mäsiarska 74, 041 20 Košice, Slovakia; (J.K.); (R.C.); (J.Z.)
| | - Piotr Tryjanowski
- Department of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 71C, 60-625 Poznań, Poland;
| | - Viktoria Majláthová
- Institute of Biology and Ecology, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Šrobárova 2, 041 80 Košice, Slovakia;
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Benelli G. Pathogens Manipulating Tick Behavior-Through a Glass, Darkly. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9080664. [PMID: 32824571 PMCID: PMC7459789 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9080664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathogens can manipulate the phenotypic traits of their hosts and vectors, maximizing their own fitness. Among the phenotypic traits that can be modified, manipulating vector behavior represents one of the most fascinating facets. How pathogens infection affects behavioral traits of key insect vectors has been extensively investigated. Major examples include Plasmodium, Leishmania and Trypanosoma spp. manipulating the behavior of mosquitoes, sand flies and kissing bugs, respectively. However, research on how pathogens can modify tick behavior is patchy. This review focuses on current knowledge about the behavioral changes triggered by Anaplasma, Borrelia, Babesia, Bartonella, Rickettsia and tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) infection in tick vectors, analyzing their potential adaptive significance. As a general trend, being infected by Borrelia and TBEV boosts tick mobility (both questing and walking activity). Borrelia and Anaplasma infection magnifies Ixodes desiccation resistance, triggering physiological changes (Borrelia: higher fat reserves; Anaplasma: synthesis of heat shock proteins). Anaplasma infection also improves cold resistance in infected ticks through synthesis of an antifreeze glycoprotein. Being infected by Anaplasma, Borrelia and Babesia leads to increased tick survival. Borrelia, Babesia and Bartonella infection facilitates blood engorgement. In the last section, current challenges for future studies are outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Benelli
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy
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