Warsaw University appeals to public to send it ticks for study on Lyme disease

Biologists in Poland are asking people who have found ticks on their bodies to bring them to the University of Warsaw or send them by courier in order to contribute to research on Lyme disease.

The aim of the study, which is now in its second year, is to investigate the occurrence of Borrelia burgdorferi – the bacteria responsible for Lyme disease – in common ticks. The disease has been on the rise in Poland due to a warming climate making ticks increasingly prevalent.

Last year, the university’s parasitology department collected almost 900 ticks. In more than 20% of the cases, they confirmed the presence of Borrelia spirochetes. Borrelia infection was confirmed in 30 study participants.

To qualify for the study, the tick must be delivered to Warsaw University within three days of its removal from the skin. It can be delivered in person to the biology department from Monday to Thursday between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. or sent by courier. A filled-in test questionnaire and signed consent form must also be attached.

Prospective participants also have to complete two short online questionnaires: one within three days of tick removal and another after eight weeks. The campaign runs until the end of September.

Last year, almost half of the ticks submitted for the study were removed from the skin over 24 hours after they began feeding, increasing the risk of disease. Over 78% of those who submitted material for the study declared that they did not use tick repellents.

The project aims at detecting the genetic material of the spirochetes that causes the disease, said head researcher Renata Welc-Falęciak, quoted by Gazeta Wyborcza.

Lyme disease is often associated with neurocognitive impairment with variable manifestations between patients. The disease of the nervous system can become chronic and debilitating.

Main photo credit: Erik Karits/Unsplash

Alicja Ptak

Alicja Ptak is senior editor at Notes from Poland and a multimedia journalist. She previously worked for Reuters.