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Meffray A, Perrin M, Richier A, Schmitt A, Ardagna Y, Biagini P. Molecular detection of Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum in 150-year-old foetal remains, southeastern France. J Med Microbiol 2019; 68:761-769. [PMID: 30994442 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.000978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Syphilis, caused by Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum , is considered as an old disease affecting humans; traces of such infections, including congenital syphilis, are potentially identifiable in archaeological samples. The aim of this research was to perform macroscopic and molecular investigations of T. pallidum on six infant remains, buried between 1837 and 1867, from the cemetery of 'Les Crottes' in Marseille city (southeastern France). METHODOLOGY Pathological analysis of bones from individuals, aged from the twenty-ninth week of amenorrhea to 4-9 months, was performed. Samples served also as a source of ancient DNA (aDNA) for PCR-based molecular investigations targeting T. pallidum DNA; all samples were also tested for Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Plasmodium falciparum DNA. Sequences characterized were cloned and sequenced, and compared to those available in databases.Results/Key findings. All samples tested displayed widespread osteoporotic lesions across the skeleton possibly related to some metabolic or infectious disorders. Subsequent molecular analysis revealed that one individual, SP332 (unborn, 29 amenorrhea weeks, inhumation date 1864-1866), exhibited positive signals for the five T. pallidum amplification systems tested; sequence analysis provided strong evidence for the effective detection of T. pallidum subspecies pallidum DNA. CONCLUSIONS Individual SP332 is the first PCR-confirmed palaeopathological case of syphilis identified in France, and the youngest specimen ever to be diagnosed with certainty for congenital syphilis. Future research aimed at better characterizing this 150-year-old treponeme genome and exploring new archaelogical cases of syphilis in the very young should contribute to a better comprehension of the disease's history.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avril Meffray
- Aix-Marseille Univ, CNRS, EFS, ADES, Marseille, France
| | - Marie Perrin
- Aix-Marseille Univ, CNRS, EFS, ADES, Marseille, France
| | - Anne Richier
- Aix-Marseille Univ, CNRS, EFS, ADES, Marseille, France.,INRAP Mediterranee, Marseille, France
| | | | - Yann Ardagna
- Aix-Marseille Univ, CNRS, EFS, ADES, Marseille, France
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Verna E, Parmentier S, Richier A, Chaumoitre K, Panuel M, Ardagna Y. [Duplication of the acromioclavicular joint: A case dating from the end of the 19th century]. Morphologie 2017; 102:106-110. [PMID: 28781145 DOI: 10.1016/j.morpho.2017.07.161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2016] [Revised: 07/03/2017] [Accepted: 07/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The duplication of the acromioclavicular joint is a very rare anomaly of shoulder girdle. Here, we present a new case of unilateral duplication of the acromioclavicular joint observed on an individual from the 19th century. In the literature, two hypotheses are proposed to explain the origin of this anomaly. The first is a congenital origin that could be explained by in utero displacement of one of the clavicle's primary ossification centers, or the existence of an additional ossification center. The second is a traumatic origin resulting from an acromioclavicular fracture that occurred during the growth period of the individual. Our macroscopic observations and CT-scan images show no sign of a healed fracture, of complications, or of a bone callus after healing. The hypothesis of a congenital origin for this acromioclavicular duplication is therefore preferred.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Verna
- UMR 7268- ADES, Aix Marseille Univ ,EFS, CNRS, faculté de médecine, secteur Nord, CS80011, boulevard Pierre-Dramard, 13344 Marseille cedex 15, France.
| | - S Parmentier
- UMR 7268- ADES, Aix Marseille Univ ,EFS, CNRS, faculté de médecine, secteur Nord, CS80011, boulevard Pierre-Dramard, 13344 Marseille cedex 15, France; Institut national de recherches archéologiques préventives (Inrap) méditerranée, plateforme logistique d'Arenc bâtiment C, 14, rue d'Anthoine, 13002 Marseille, France
| | - A Richier
- UMR 7268- ADES, Aix Marseille Univ ,EFS, CNRS, faculté de médecine, secteur Nord, CS80011, boulevard Pierre-Dramard, 13344 Marseille cedex 15, France; Institut national de recherches archéologiques préventives (Inrap) méditerranée, plateforme logistique d'Arenc bâtiment C, 14, rue d'Anthoine, 13002 Marseille, France
| | - K Chaumoitre
- UMR 7268- ADES, Aix Marseille Univ ,EFS, CNRS, faculté de médecine, secteur Nord, CS80011, boulevard Pierre-Dramard, 13344 Marseille cedex 15, France; Service d'imagerie médicale, hôpital Nord, CHU de Marseille, chemin des Bourrely, 13915 Marseille cedex 20, France
| | - M Panuel
- UMR 7268- ADES, Aix Marseille Univ ,EFS, CNRS, faculté de médecine, secteur Nord, CS80011, boulevard Pierre-Dramard, 13344 Marseille cedex 15, France; Service d'imagerie médicale, hôpital Nord, CHU de Marseille, chemin des Bourrely, 13915 Marseille cedex 20, France
| | - Y Ardagna
- UMR 7268- ADES, Aix Marseille Univ ,EFS, CNRS, faculté de médecine, secteur Nord, CS80011, boulevard Pierre-Dramard, 13344 Marseille cedex 15, France
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