Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Syphilis 2001--a palaeopathological reappraisal.

C Meyer1, C Jung, T Kohl

  • 1Institut für Anthropologie, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, Colonel-Kleinmann-Weg 2, SB II-02, Mainz, Germany. meyec012@students.uni-mainz.de

Homo : Internationale Zeitschrift Fur Die Vergleichende Forschung Am Menschen
|October 9, 2002
PubMed
Summary

The origin of syphilis is re-evaluated, suggesting non-venereal treponemal disease worldwide since Homo emergence. Venereal syphilis likely first appeared in 15th-century Europe, challenging the Columbian theory.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Authors reply: "AI in critical care: a roadmap to the future".

Journal of critical care·2026
Same author

AI in critical care: A roadmap to the future.

Journal of critical care·2025
Same author

Rehabilitation after surgical release of the stiff elbow: A literature review.

Journal of orthopaedics·2024
Same author

Reflection on the landscape of education in the area of exposure modelling.

Environment international·2024
Same author

Accessible and reliable neurometric testing in humans using a smartphone platform.

Scientific reports·2023
Same author

CIMT 2023: report on the 20th Annual Meeting of the Association for Cancer Immunotherapy.

Immuno-oncology technology·2023

Area of Science:

  • Paleopathology
  • Infectious Disease Epidemiology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • The origin and spread of treponematoses, particularly venereal syphilis, remain subjects of scientific debate.
  • Previous theories, such as the Columbian theory, have relied on palaeopathological evidence.
  • Recent findings necessitate a re-evaluation of existing theories and osseous materials.

Observation:

  • Non-venereal treponemal disease may have had a worldwide distribution since the emergence of Homo.
  • Pathological alterations in pre-Columbian Old World specimens challenge the Columbian theory.
  • The late 15th and early 16th centuries in Europe saw significant societal changes and potential for venereal syphilis outbreaks.

Findings:

  • A review of recent literature suggests a global presence of non-venereal treponemal disease predating venereal syphilis.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Evidence indicates venereal syphilis may have first emerged epidemically in late 15th/early 16th century Europe.
  • Pre-Columbian Old World syphilis cases challenge single-factor origin theories.

    • Implications:

    • A more nuanced understanding of syphilis's origin and spread is required, moving beyond single-factor explanations.
    • Molecular methods offer potential for accurate identification of Treponema pallidum pallidum in ancient samples.
    • Future research can clarify the complex history and diagnosis of treponemal diseases.