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Epidemiological insights from a large-scale investigation of intestinal helminths in Medieval Europe. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2020; 14:e0008600. [PMID: 32853225 PMCID: PMC7451528 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Helminth infections are among the World Health Organization's top neglected diseases with significant impact in many Less Economically Developed Countries. Despite no longer being endemic in Europe, the widespread presence of helminth eggs in archaeological deposits indicates that helminths represented a considerable burden in past European populations. Prevalence of infection is a key epidemiological feature that would influence the elimination of endemic intestinal helminths, for example, low prevalence rates may have made it easier to eliminate these infections in Europe without the use of modern anthelminthic drugs. To determine historical prevalence rates we analysed 589 grave samples from 7 European sites dated between 680 and 1700 CE, identifying two soil transmitted nematodes (Ascaris spp. and Trichuris trichiura) at all locations, and two food derived cestodes (Diphyllobothrium latum and Taenia spp.) at 4 sites. The rates of nematode infection in the medieval populations (1.5 to 25.6% for T. trichiura; 9.3-42.9% for Ascaris spp.) were comparable to those reported within modern endemically infected populations. There was some evidence of higher levels of nematode infection in younger individuals but not at all sites. The genetic diversity of T. trichiura ITS-1 in single graves was variable but much lower than with communal medieval latrine deposits. The prevalence of food derived cestodes was much lower (1.0-9.9%) than the prevalence of nematodes. Interestingly, sites that contained Taenia spp. eggs also contained D. latum which may reflect local culinary practices. These data demonstrate the importance of helminth infections in Medieval Europe and provide a baseline for studies on the epidemiology of infection in historical and modern contexts. Since the prevalence of medieval STH infections mirror those in modern endemic countries the factors affecting STH decline in Europe may also inform modern intervention campaigns.
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Guedes L, Borba VH, Camacho M, Neto J, Dias O, Iñiguez AM. African helminth infection out of Africa: Paleoparasitological and paleogenetic investigations in Pretos Novos cemetery, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (1769-1830). Acta Trop 2020; 205:105399. [PMID: 32081659 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Pretos Novos cemetery (PNC), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (1769-1830) was created exclusively to bury enslaved Africans who died upon arrival at the city or before being sold in the slave market. The PNC site may be unique in the Americas in allowing the study of African parasite infections acquired in Africa. We aimed to identify parasites infecting PNC individuals through paleoparasitological and paleogenetic analyses. The bodies had been dismembered, placed in mass graves, and burned, and most human remains collected from the site are highly fragmented and show extensive degradation. Sacrum and pelvic sediments were collected from five individuals along with seven samples of sediment from other areas of the body, as controls. Samples were submitted to three parasitological techniques and, in paleogenetic analysis, to four molecular targets. Larvae, mites, pollen grains, and structure suggestive of plants and fungus were observed, but we found no evidence of helminth infection. Ascaris sp. cytb sequence was recovered in one individual. We emphasize that, even with the extensive degradation of PNC human remains and the process of curation of samples, it was possible to recover helminth aDNA. The origin of PNC individuals confirms that these infections were brought to Brazil from western and central Africa during the colonial era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucélia Guedes
- LABTRIP, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (LABTRIP/IOC/FIOCRUZ). Avenida Brasil, 4365, Pavilhão Rocha Lima, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, CEP: 21045-900, Brazil
| | - Victor Hugo Borba
- LABTRIP, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (LABTRIP/IOC/FIOCRUZ). Avenida Brasil, 4365, Pavilhão Rocha Lima, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, CEP: 21045-900, Brazil
| | - Morgana Camacho
- LABTRIP, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (LABTRIP/IOC/FIOCRUZ). Avenida Brasil, 4365, Pavilhão Rocha Lima, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, CEP: 21045-900, Brazil
| | - Jandira Neto
- Instituto de Arqueologia Brasileira (IAB). Estr. Cruz Vermelha, 45 - Vila Santa Teresa, Belford Roxo, Rio de Janeiro, CEP: 26193-415, Brazil
| | - Ondemar Dias
- Instituto de Arqueologia Brasileira (IAB). Estr. Cruz Vermelha, 45 - Vila Santa Teresa, Belford Roxo, Rio de Janeiro, CEP: 26193-415, Brazil
| | - Alena Mayo Iñiguez
- LABTRIP, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (LABTRIP/IOC/FIOCRUZ). Avenida Brasil, 4365, Pavilhão Rocha Lima, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, CEP: 21045-900, Brazil.
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Guedes L, Dias O, Neto J, Ribeiro da Silva LDP, Mendonça de Souza SMF, Iñiguez AM. First Paleogenetic Evidence of Probable Syphilis and Treponematoses Cases in the Brazilian Colonial Period. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 2018:8304129. [PMID: 30406142 PMCID: PMC6199871 DOI: 10.1155/2018/8304129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Revised: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 09/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Despite interest in the origins of syphilis, paleopathological analysis has not provided answers, and paleogenetic diagnosis remains a challenge. Even venereal syphilis has low infectivity which means there are few circulating bacteria for most of the individual's life. Human remains recovered from the Nossa Senhora do Carmo Church (17th to 19th centuries) and the Praça XV Cemetery (18th to 19th centuries), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were subjected to Treponema paleogenetic analysis. Historical data point to endemic treponemal infections in the city, including venereal syphilis. Based on the physiopathology of Treponema pallidum infection, 25 samples, mostly from skull remains of young adults, with no visible paleopathological evidence of treponematoses, were analyzed. PCR with three molecular targets, tpp47, polA, and tpp15, were applied. Ancient DNA tpp15 sequences were recovered from two young adults from each archaeological site and revealed the polymorphism that characterizes T. p. subsp. pallidum in a female up to 18 years old, suggesting a probable case of syphilis infection. The results indicated that the epidemiological context and the physiopathology of the disease should be considered in syphilis paleogenetic detection. The findings of Treponema sp. aDNA are consistent with historical documents that describe venereal syphilis and yaws as endemic diseases in Rio de Janeiro. Data on the epidemiological characteristics of the disease and its pathophysiology offer new perspectives in paleopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucélia Guedes
- Laboratório de Biologia de Tripanosomatídeos (LABTRIP), Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Brasil, 4365 – Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21040-900, Brazil
| | - Ondemar Dias
- Instituto de Arqueologia Brasileira, Estr. Cruz Vermelha, 45 – Vila Santa Teresa, Belford Roxo, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 26193-415, Brazil
| | - Jandira Neto
- Instituto de Arqueologia Brasileira, Estr. Cruz Vermelha, 45 – Vila Santa Teresa, Belford Roxo, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 26193-415, Brazil
| | - Laura da Piedade Ribeiro da Silva
- Instituto de Arqueologia Brasileira, Estr. Cruz Vermelha, 45 – Vila Santa Teresa, Belford Roxo, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 26193-415, Brazil
| | - Sheila M. F. Mendonça de Souza
- Departamento de Endemias Samuel Pessoa, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sérgio Arouca, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, R. Leopoldo Bulhões, 1480 Bonsucesso, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21041-210, Brazil
| | - Alena Mayo Iñiguez
- Laboratório de Biologia de Tripanosomatídeos (LABTRIP), Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Brasil, 4365 – Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21040-900, Brazil
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Tuberculosis in post-contact Native Americans of Brazil: Paleopathological and paleogenetic evidence from the Tenetehara-Guajajara. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0202394. [PMID: 30183732 PMCID: PMC6124704 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0202394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2017] [Accepted: 08/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) has been described in Native American populations prior to the arrival of European explorers, and in Brazilian populations dating from the Colonial Period. There are no studies demonstrating TB infection in native Brazilians, and the history and epidemiological scenario of TB in Brazil is still unknown. The aim of this study was to verify the presence of TB infection among the native Tenetehara-Guajajara population from Maranhão State, Brazil, 210 ± 40 years ago. A Tenetehara-Guajajara skeleton collection was submitted to paleopathological analysis, and rib bone samples (n = 17) were used for paleogenetic analysis based on Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) targets. Porotic hyperostosis and cribra orbitalia were found in 10 and 13 individuals, respectively. Maternal ancestry analysis revealed Native American mtDNA haplogroups A and C1 in three individuals. Three samples showed osteological evidence suggestive of TB. katG and mtp40 sequences were detected in three individuals, indicating probable TB infection by two MTC lineages. Tuberculosis infection in the Tenetehara-Guajajara population since the 18th century points to a panorama of the disease resulting, most probably, from European contact. However, the important contribution of African slaves in the population of Maranhão State, could be also considered as a source of the disease. This study provides new data on TB during the Brazilian Colonial Period. This is the first report integrating paleopathological and paleogenetic data for the study of TB in Brazil.
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Borba Nunes VH, Alcover JA, Silva VL, Cruz PB, Machado-Silva JR, de Araújo AJG. Paleoparasitological analysis of the extinct Myotragus balearicus Bate 1909 (Artiodactyla, Caprinae) from Mallorca (Balearic Islands, Western Mediterranean). Parasitol Int 2017; 66:7-11. [DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2016.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2016] [Revised: 11/07/2016] [Accepted: 11/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
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Jaeger LH, Gijón-Botella H, Del Carmen Del Arco-Aguilar M, Martín-Oval M, Rodríguez-Maffiotte C, Del Arco-Aguilar M, Araújo A, Iñiguez AM. Evidence of Helminth Infection in Guanche Mummies: Integrating Paleoparasitological and Paleogenetic Investigations. J Parasitol 2015; 102:222-8. [PMID: 26641720 DOI: 10.1645/15-866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The Guanches, ancient inhabitants of the Canary Islands, Spain, practiced mummification of their dead. A paleoparasitological and paleogenetic analysis was conducted on mummified bodies (n = 6) (AD 1200, Cal BP 750) belonging to the Guanche culture from Gran Canaria Island. Coprolite and sediment samples (n = 19) were removed from below the abdominal region or sacral foramina. The samples were rehydrated in 0.5% trisodium phosphate solution for 72 hr at 4 C, and the paleoparasitological investigation was conducted by spontaneous sedimentation method and microscopic examination. The results revealed the presence of well-preserved eggs of Ascaris sp., Trichuris trichiura , Enterobius vermicularis , and hookworms. Ancient DNA was extracted from sediment samples to elucidate the ancestry of the mummies and for molecular detection of Ascaris sp. infection. Results of paleogenetic analysis demonstrated Ascaris sp. infection using 2 molecular targets, cytb and nad1. The mtDNA haplotypes U6b, U6b1, and HV were identified, which confirmed records of Guanche ancestry. The excellent preservation of Guanche mummies facilitated the paleoparasitological and paleogenetic study, the results of which contribute to our knowledge of Guanche culture and their health status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Hubert Jaeger
- LABTRIP, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Pavilhão Rocha Lima, Sala 518, Av. Brasil 4365, Rio de Janeiro, 21045-900, RJ, Brazil
| | - Herminia Gijón-Botella
- LABTRIP, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Pavilhão Rocha Lima, Sala 518, Av. Brasil 4365, Rio de Janeiro, 21045-900, RJ, Brazil
| | - María Del Carmen Del Arco-Aguilar
- LABTRIP, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Pavilhão Rocha Lima, Sala 518, Av. Brasil 4365, Rio de Janeiro, 21045-900, RJ, Brazil
| | - Mercedes Martín-Oval
- LABTRIP, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Pavilhão Rocha Lima, Sala 518, Av. Brasil 4365, Rio de Janeiro, 21045-900, RJ, Brazil
| | - Conrado Rodríguez-Maffiotte
- LABTRIP, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Pavilhão Rocha Lima, Sala 518, Av. Brasil 4365, Rio de Janeiro, 21045-900, RJ, Brazil
| | - Mercedes Del Arco-Aguilar
- LABTRIP, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Pavilhão Rocha Lima, Sala 518, Av. Brasil 4365, Rio de Janeiro, 21045-900, RJ, Brazil
| | - Adauto Araújo
- LABTRIP, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Pavilhão Rocha Lima, Sala 518, Av. Brasil 4365, Rio de Janeiro, 21045-900, RJ, Brazil
| | - Alena Mayo Iñiguez
- LABTRIP, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Pavilhão Rocha Lima, Sala 518, Av. Brasil 4365, Rio de Janeiro, 21045-900, RJ, Brazil
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Slepchenko SM, Gusev AV, Ivanov SN, Svyatova EO. Opisthorchiasis in infant remains from the medieval Zeleniy Yar burial ground of XII-XIII centuries AD. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2015; 110:974-80. [PMID: 26602874 PMCID: PMC4708016 DOI: 10.1590/0074-02760150156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2015] [Accepted: 10/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
We present a paleoparasitological analysis of the medieval Zeleniy Yar burial ground of the XII-XII centuries AD located in the northern part of Western Siberia. Parasite eggs, identified as eggs of Opisthorchis felineus, were found in the samples from the pelvic area of a one year old infant buried at the site. Presence of these eggs in the soil samples from the infant's abdomen suggests that he/she was infected with opisthorchiasis and imply consumption of undercooked fish. Ethnographic records collected among the population of the northern part of Western Siberia reveal numerous cases of feeding raw fish to their children. Zeleniy Yar case of opisthorchiasis suggests that this dietary custom has persisted from at least medieval times.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergey Mikhailovich Slepchenko
- Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Institute for
Problems of the Development of the North, Tyumen, Siberia, Russia
| | - Alexander Vasilevich Gusev
- YaNAO Arctic Research Center, Archeology Department, Archeology and
Ethnology Sector, Salekhard, YaNAO, Russia
| | - Sergey Nikolaevich Ivanov
- Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Institute for
Problems of the Development of the North, Tyumen, Siberia, Russia
| | - Evgenia Olegovna Svyatova
- Institution of Culture of Sverdlovsk Region, Center for Protection and
Use of Monuments of History and Culture of Sverdlovsk Region, Scientific and Production
Center, Ekaterinburg, Urais, Russia
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Jaeger LH, Iñiguez AM. Molecular paleoparasitological hybridization approach as effective tool for diagnosing human intestinal parasites from scarce archaeological remains. PLoS One 2014; 9:e105910. [PMID: 25162694 PMCID: PMC4146586 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0105910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2014] [Accepted: 07/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Paleoparasitology is the science that uses parasitological techniques for diagnosing parasitic diseases in the past. Advances in molecular biology brought new insights into this field allowing the study of archaeological material. However, due to technical limitations a proper diagnosis and confirmation of the presence of parasites is not always possible, especially in scarce and degraded archaeological remains. In this study, we developed a Molecular Paleoparasitological Hybridization (MPH) approach using ancient DNA (aDNA) hybridization to confirm and complement paleoparasitological diagnosis. Eight molecular targets from four helminth parasites were included: Ascaris sp., Trichuris trichiura, Enterobius vermicularis, and Strongyloides stercoralis. The MPH analysis using 18th century human remains from Praça XV cemetery (CPXV), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, revealed for the first time the presence E. vermicularis aDNA (50%) in archaeological sites of Brazil. Besides, the results confirmed T. trichiura and Ascaris sp. infections. The prevalence of infection by Ascaris sp. and E. vermicularis increased considerably when MPH was applied. However, a lower aDNA detection of T. trichiura (40%) was observed when compared to the diagnosis by paleoparasitological analysis (70%). Therefore, based on these data, we suggest a combination of Paleoparasitological and MPH approaches to verify the real panorama of intestinal parasite infection in human archeological samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Hubert Jaeger
- Laboratório de Biologia de Tripanosomatídeos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Alena Mayo Iñiguez
- Laboratório de Biologia de Tripanosomatídeos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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