Scientists at the Universities of Basel and Zurich have unearthed a groundbreaking discovery, revealing genetic traces of the pathogen Treponema pallidum in the ancient bones of individuals who perished in Brazil two millennia ago. This revelation, documented in the journal Nature, establishes the earliest confirmed instance of this pathogen, showcasing that treponematoses, akin to syphilis, afflicted humans long before Columbus’s exploration of the Americas.
This recent revelation challenges established theories about the introduction of syphilis by Spanish conquistadors. The exploration of the emergence and dissemination of infectious diseases holds significant importance for global health, a relevance underscored even prior to the current COVID-19 pandemic. Leveraging advanced laboratory techniques, researchers can now identify minuscule traces of DNA from pathogens in prehistoric remains, unraveling the historical spread and evolutionary progression of these diseases.
Headed by Professor Verena Schünemann from the University of Basel, in collaboration with ETH Zurich and the Universities of Vienna and Sao Paulo, an international research consortium examined ancient bones from four individuals who perished two millennia ago in the coastal region of Santa Caterina, Brazil. Pathological changes in some of the bones hint at a disease akin to syphilis, shedding light on the health challenges faced by ancient populations.
Prehistoric origins of endemic syphilis in humid zones
Employing precision akin to dentists, the researchers utilized drilling tools to delicately extract minute samples of bone under meticulously sterile conditions. From these samples, they successfully isolated ancient DNA specific to the syphilis pathogen, providing a groundbreaking insight into the genetic material of Treponema pallidum endemicum, the strain responsible for bejel.
Treponematoses encompass a range of infectious diseases, including the globally recognized sexually transmitted disease, syphilis. While syphilis poses a significant health risk worldwide, bejel, transmitted through skin contact, is presently confined to extremely arid regions in Africa and Asia.
The study’s findings highlight that all examined bacterial genomes can be linked to the Treponema pallidum endemicum strain, which leads to bejel. This revelation challenges prior assumptions about the historical spread of syphilis, indicating its presence in humid zones of Brazil approximately 2,000 years ago.
Professor Verena Schünemann emphasizes the significance of the study, noting that endemic syphilis was already prevalent in humid Brazilian regions over a millennium before Columbus set foot in the New World. This implies that people were contracting endemic syphilis, likely through skin contact, long before the well-documented arrival of Columbus and the subsequent European exploration of the Americas.
Debunking the Columbus connection: Reassessing the origins of syphilis in Europe
Controversial discussions persist among specialists and medical historians regarding the potential introduction of sexually transmitted syphilis to the Old World by Christopher Columbus’s crew upon their return in 1492. The rapid spread of the disease from the late 15th century onward, particularly in port cities, has fueled speculation and debate.
Kerttu Majander, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Basel and a key figure in the study, points out that the recently uncovered genetic material represents an endemic form of treponemal diseases, not sexually transmitted syphilis. This leaves the question of the origin of sexually transmitted syphilis unresolved. Despite this, the authors lean towards the notion that treponematoses were already prevalent in Europe before Columbus’s era.
Professor Verena Schünemann, leading the research group, underscores the complexity of the issue, stating that the absence of sexually transmitted syphilis in South America challenges the theory of Columbus introducing syphilis to Europe. In fact, prior discoveries by the same research group in locations such as Finland and Poland hint at the existence of some forms of treponematoses in Europe prior to Columbus’s expeditions. These findings suggest a more nuanced and intricate narrative surrounding the historical prevalence and spread of treponemal diseases.
Horizontal gene transfer and the deep roots of treponemal infections
Horizontal gene transfer, or recombination, emerges as a pivotal mechanism in the evolution of bacteria, facilitating the exchange of advantageous traits among various species. The examination of ancient DNA from Brazilian bones and its comparison with contemporary pathogens reveals compelling evidence of such recombination events.
Lead author Marta Pla-Díaz from the University of Basel highlights the challenge of pinpointing the exact timing of these genetic exchanges. However, she suggests that these events likely played a crucial role in the divergence of subspecies causing different treponemal infections.
This DNA comparison not only sheds light on the occurrence of recombination but also allows for an estimation of the emergence of the Treponema pallidum family. The research team’s findings indicate that these pathogens originated sometime between 12,000 and 550 BCE, pushing the historical timeline of these diseases much further back than previously believed.
Professor Verena Schünemann, concluding the study, emphasizes that while the origin of syphilis remains open to interpretation, the undeniable presence of treponematoses among ancient American inhabitants predates the European exploration of the continent by centuries. The researchers express confidence that continued advancements in the analysis of prehistoric DNA could eventually unravel the mysterious origins of venereal syphilis, providing further insights into the ancient history of infectious diseases.
Resources
- ONLINE NEWS University of Basel. (2024, January 24). Syphilis-like diseases were already widespread in America before the arrival of Columbus, new study finds. Phys.org. [Phys.org]
- JOURNAL Majander, K., Pla-Díaz, M., du Plessis, L., et al. (2024). Redefining the treponemal history through pre-Columbian genomes from Brazil. Nature. [Nature]
Cite this page:
APA 7: TWs Editor. (2024, January 25). Syphilis-Similar Diseases in Pre-Columbus America, New Study Shows. PerEXP Teamworks. [News Link]
