Recent research has definitively traced the origins of the syphilis pathogen, Treponema pallidum, to the Americas. This discovery supports the theory that the disease, along with related infections like bejel and yaws, existed among indigenous populations long before European contact.
The research team successfully reconstructed five ancient genomes from skeletal remains across Latin America, suggesting that a common ancestor of these pathogens may have existed as early as 9,000 years ago or entered the Americas from Siberia around 5,000 years ago.
The arrival of Columbus in 1492 marked a pivotal moment, as syphilis began to spread globally, with the first documented outbreak occurring in 1495. While indigenous peoples suffered from the earliest forms of these diseases, European explorers played a crucial role in their worldwide dissemination.
This groundbreaking study reshapes our understanding of the historical narrative surrounding syphilis and its impact on global health.
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