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Diagnosing ancient diphyllobothriasis from Chinchorro mummies
1School of Natural Resource Sciences, 126 Bessey Hall, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588-0368, USA. kreinhard1@unl.edu
Memorias Do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz
|April 12, 2003
Summary
The oldest evidence of Diphyllobothrium pacificum, a human parasite, was found in 4,000-5,000-year-old Chinchorro mummies. Egg size variations in mummies offer insights into parasite preservation and diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Paleoparasitology
- Archaeoparasitology
- Ancient DNA Analysis
Background:
- Diphyllobothrium pacificum is a tapeworm known to infect humans.
- Previous evidence of D. pacificum in humans comes from Peru and Chile, primarily from coprolites and skeletal remains.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and characteristics of Diphyllobothrium pacificum in ancient human remains.
- To establish the oldest direct evidence of D. pacificum infection in human mummies.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of parasitic eggs found within ancient Chinchorro mummies from Chile.
- Microscopic examination and measurement of D. pacificum eggs recovered from mummy samples.
Main Results:
- The oldest direct evidence of Diphyllobothrium pacificum infection was identified in Chinchorro mummies dating back 4,000 to 5,000 years.
- Eggs recovered from the mummies were smaller than those typically reported for D. pacificum.
Conclusions:
- The study provides the earliest direct association of Diphyllobothrium pacificum with human mummies.
- Smaller egg size in mummies is likely due to post-mortem decomposition and preservation conditions affecting egg maturity and release.
- This finding is crucial for accurate paleoparasitological diagnoses from ancient human remains.