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Oldest Known Genomic Evidence of Syphilis Found in 2,000-Year-Old Bones in Brazil

The discovery suggests syphilis-like diseases were present in the Americas at least 500 years before Columbus, challenging previous theories about the spread of the disease.

2,000-Year-Old Bones In Brazil Shed Light On The Family Tree Of Syphilis
an array of human bones shown partially buried in the ground, with two bones highlighted in yellow
Aiming to trace syphilis' origins, researchers used paleopathology techniques to study ancient human bones at the site Jabuticabeira II in Brazil's Santa Catarina state.
A skeleton unearthed by researchers at Jabuticabeira II is shown.

Overview

  • Researchers have discovered the oldest known genomic evidence of Treponema pallidum, the bacterium that causes syphilis, in 2,000-year-old bones unearthed in Brazil, predating the first trans-Atlantic contacts.
  • The findings suggest that syphilis-like diseases were already present in the Americas at least 500 years before Columbus set sail.
  • The genome recovered from the Brazilian sample suggests that T. pallidum bacteria first evolved to infect humans as far back as 12,000 years ago.
  • The study does not confirm or refute the theory that Columbus's voyage led to the importation of Treponema and the outbreaks of syphilis in the 1500s.
  • Further research on ancient genomes from across the world might be able to solve the mystery of the bacteria's global distribution before the voyages of Columbus.