Leprosy in Americas: Pre-Columbian Evidence
- A second species of bacteria has been identified as contributing to leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease, in the Americas, according to a recent announcement by a U.S.
- The bacterium, named Mycobacterium lepromatosis, existed and infected humans for as long as 1,000 years before the arrival of Europeans, researchers report.
- Maria Lopopolo, the study's lead author and a researcher at the laboratory of Microbial paleogenomics at the Institut Pasteur, stated that this discovery "transforms our understanding of the...
Groundbreaking research reveals that the Americas harbored leprosy long before European arrival, challenging the prevailing narrative.Scientists have identified Mycobacterium lepromatosis,a secondary bacterial species,as a cause of the disease,predating the influence of European explorers. This finding rewrites our understanding of leprosy’s origins, suggesting it was endemic among Indigenous populations for centuries. Advanced genetic techniques,examining ancient remains from Argentina and Canada,confirmed Mycobacterium lepromatosis‘s widespread presence across the continent. The study, a collaboration between international institutions and indigenous communities, underscores the power of scientific discovery to reshape history.Discover how this revelation may reveal further insights into the global movement of this pathogen; News Directory 3 has the details. Discover what’s next for ongoing research.
Leprosy Origins in Americas Traced to Second Bacterial Species
A second species of bacteria has been identified as contributing to leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, in the Americas, according to a recent announcement by a U.S. university. This discovery challenges the long-held belief that Mycobacterium leprae, spread by early European explorers and settlers, was the sole cause of the disease in this region.
The bacterium, named Mycobacterium lepromatosis, existed and infected humans for as long as 1,000 years before the arrival of Europeans, researchers report. The finding suggests that a strain of leprosy was already present in the Americas.
Dr. Maria Lopopolo, the study’s lead author and a researcher at the laboratory of Microbial paleogenomics at the Institut Pasteur, stated that this discovery “transforms our understanding of the history of leprosy in America,” demonstrating that a form of the disease was endemic among Indigenous populations before European contact.
The research, conducted by scientists from the Institut Pasteur, the French National Center for Scientific Research, and the University of Colorado, began after Mycobacterium lepromatosis was identified in a mexican patient in 2008 and in red squirrels in the British Isles in 2016.
Using advanced genetic techniques, the scientists reconstructed the genomes of Mycobacterium lepromatosis from ancient individuals found in Argentina and Canada. The analysis revealed that the strains from these different regions were genetically similar, indicating that the bacteria spread rapidly across the continent. The results confirm that Mycobacterium lepromatosis was widespread throughout both North and South America.
The research team collaborated with indigenous communities, international institutions, and archaeologists, studying over 800 DNA samples from ancient human remains and recent medical cases showing signs of leprosy.Nicolás Rascovan, the lead author of the study at the Pasteur Institute, emphasized that the research demonstrates how human history can be reshaped through scientific discovery.
“We are just beginning to uncover the diversity and global movements of this recently identified pathogen,” Rascovan said.”This study allows us to hypothesize that there might be unknown animal reservoirs.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that leprosy can affect the nerves, skin, and eyes and is treated with antibiotics. Up to 225 people in the U.S. and 250,000 worldwide contract Hansen’s disease annually, according to the CDC.