Researchers are analyzing ancient pathogen genomes to determine the origin of syphilis, a disease that has plagued humanity for centuries. The 'Columbian theory' suggests syphilis arrived in Europe with Columbus's return from the Americas, but evidence of lesions in medieval European bones predating 1492 challenges this notion.
Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary AnthropologyDec 18 2024 In spring 1495, the Italian campaign of Charles VIII of France was interrupted by an intense outbreak of an apparently unknown illness – a disease of high mortality that quickly engulfed the whole of Europe and left its survivors with life changing impairments to their bodies and minds. This documented epidemic is now interpreted to be the first historical account of syphilis.
The origin of syphilis is the subject of a decades-long debate. The late 15th century outbreak occurred shortly after the return of Columbus and his crew from their early expeditions to the Americas, which led some to believe that contact with new lands and people may have had something to do with the sudden disease onset. Though many communicable diseases made a westward journey from Europe to the Americas during the early colonial period where they imparted devastating consequences on indigenous groups, syphilis is one of the few that possibly made the reverse journey. This 'Columbian theory' for syphilis has gained popularity over the years, but still has its critics. Its simple narrative starts to unravel when experts turn their attention to lesions seen in bones from Medieval Europe. Both long-term sufferers and those born with an infection can develop changes in their bones or teeth, and over the past several decades, a number of such skeletons have been found in Europe that predate 1492. Many now believe the history of syphilis in Europe began long before Columbus, and the late 15th century pandemic happened for reasons independent of new contacts. But neither theory has been confirmed. Analyzing five ancient pathogen genomes Pathogen DNA retrieved from archaeological bone has the potential to tip the scales in support of one theory over another. It has already told us volumes about the deep history of plague, tuberculosis, leprosy, and smallpox, though unthreading the history of syphilis has proven more challengin
SYPHILIS ORIGIN DNA ANCIENT HISTORY
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Polar bears 'once roamed Scotland' as ancient fossils reveal fishy diet'This is at odds with what we know about brown bear diets today, but also across the ages.'
Read more »
Polar bears 'once roamed Scotland' as ancient bones and fossils reveal fishy diet'This is at odds with what we know about brown bear diets today, but also across the ages.'
Read more »
Ancient Footprints Reveal Coexistence of Two Hominin SpeciesRutgers University researchers have discovered 1.5-million-year-old fossils that suggest two different hominin species coexisted and possibly scavenged together near Lake Turkana in Kenya, providing new insights into human evolution and species interaction.
Read more »
DNA findings reveal exactly when Humans and Neanderthals became oneThe research was conducted by a group at the Max Planck Institute of Evolutionary Biology, in Germany.
Read more »
Great Nicobar Project: India's Hong Kong-like port may wipe out ancient tribeExperts say the multi-billion project would be a 'death sentence' for the Shompen people.
Read more »
MPs May Reveal Alleged 'Spy' Identity in ParliamentA 'spy' known only as H6, allegedly once Prince Andrew's confidante, has been granted anonymity under the Human Rights Act. While a High Court ruling on his full naming is pending, MPs are considering using parliamentary privilege to disclose his identity in Parliament, arguing it's in the national interest.
Read more »