A case of nonvenereal treponematosis in a pre ‐Hispanic adult from north‐eastern Argentina

This article presents a case of treponemic disease in a skeleton of a female adult found at Los Tres Cerros 1 archaeological site (Upper Delta of Paran á River, Entre Ríos, Argentina). This site was occupied by hunter–gatherer–fisher groups that also practised horticulture during the Late Holocene (ca. 1227–560 years BP). A macroscopic description of bone lesions is complemented with data from X‐rays and CT scans. Different types of lesi ons were observed in the left ulna, femora, right patella, tibiae, and fibulae. In addition, two remodelled depressions surrounded by bony thickening and porosities were found in the frontal bone. Some lesions registered in the skull were associated withcaries sicca. In the differential diagnosis, chronic leg ulcers, Paget's disease, tuberculosis, leprosy, osteomyelitis, and treponematosis were considered. The analyses indicate that most of the injuries may be compatible with nonvenereal forms of treponematosis. Few cases of treponemic disease were recorded in Argentina's bioarchaeological collections of pre ‐Hispanic populations. Specifically, in the north‐eastern region, two skeletons with treponematosis have so far been reported. The present study provides new evidence of treponematosis in the Delta of the Paraná River. Therefore, this case adds to the scant evidence of pre‐Hispanic treponemat osis that exists for these latitudes.
Source: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology - Category: Science Authors: Tags: RESEARCH ARTICLE Source Type: research