A technique for determining the elemental composition of ticks to assess their susceptibility to pathogens of tick infections

Soil pollution has been found to affect the biology and morphology of ticks and to lead to a decrease in the immunity of these bloodsuckers, which leads to an increase in the susceptibility of ticks to pathogenic agents. Heavy metals (HM) specifically affect ticks. Scientists have noted that increased content of HM and a number of other metals in the body of ticks leads to changes in the exoskeleton. A technique created for atomic emission spectroscopic analysis of ticks that determines the content of essential, conditionally essential, toxic, and potentially toxic chemical elements to estimate the level of tick infections is the topic of this work, which used tick individuals collected in different regions of the city of Tomsk (Russian Federation). The technique was developed using a Grand spectrometer with a multichannel emission spectrum analyzer. Quantitative analysis by arc atomic emission spectroscopy was conducted using the state standard samples (SOG-37). A unique method of sample preparation of an individual tick for spectral analysis was developed and carried out. The analysis modes for atomic-emission spectral analysis with a multichannel emission spectrum analyzer were optimized. To estimate the anionic composition of the sample, an IR spectroscopy analysis was performed using a Fourier spectrometer Nicolet 6700 (Thermo Scientific, USA). The technique was based on the possibility of determining more than 20 elements in one tick individual. The sensitivity of the method was evaluated. The indicators of the quality of measurements were calculated, and the corresponding ranges for spectral analysis were determined. The technique passed preliminary metro-logical certification according to the algorithm «method of estimating the quality indicators of the analysis technique using the method of variation of the sample mass» in accordance with the requirement of the state standard RMG 61-2010. After an appropriate metrological examination and its introduction into the federal register, the technique can be recommended for use in accredited analytical laboratories for small screening. The analysis obtained by this method established that an increased content of a number of metals in the tick organism led to changes in the exoskeleton that affected the biology and morphology of the ticks, leading to a decrease in immunity and increasing their susceptibility to pathogens of tick infections.

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