Differential Change in the Prevalence of the Ascaris, Trichuris and Clonorchis infection Among Past East Asian Populations

As we learn more about parasites in ancient civilizations, data becomes available that can be used to see how infection may change over time. The aim of this study is to assess how common certain intestinal parasites were in China and Korea in the past 2000 years, and make comparisons with prevalence data from the 20th century. This allows us to go on to investigate how and why changes in parasite prevalence may have occurred at different times. Here we show that Chinese liver fluke (Clonorchis sinensis) dropped markedly in prevalence in both Korea and China earlier than did roundworm (Ascaris lumbricoides) and whipworm (Trichuris trichiura). We use historical evidence to determine why this was the case, exploring the role of developing sanitation infrastructure, changing use of human feces as crop fertilizer, development of chemical fertilizers, snail control programs, changing dietary preferences, and governmental public health campaigns during the 20th century.

Reconsideration of Dr. Allen's Report about Hemoptysis Patients from High Prevalence of Archaeoparasitological Paragonimiasis in Korea

Horace N. Allen, an American physician, was a Presbyterian missionary to Korea. In 1886, he wrote the annual report of the Korean government hospital, summarizing patient statistics according to outpatient and inpatient classification for the first ever in Korean history. In the report, he speculated that hemoptysis cases of outpatient might have been mainly caused by distoma. Allen’s conjecture was noteworthy because only a few years lapsed since the first scientific report of paragonimiasis. However, he was not sure of his assumption either because it was not evidently supported by proper microscopic or post-mortem examinations. In this letter, we thus revisit his assumption with our parasitological data recently obtained from Joseon period mummies.

Ancient Human Parasites in Ethnic Chinese Populations

Whilst archaeological evidence for many aspects of life in ancient China is well studied, there has been much less interest in ancient infectious diseases, such as intestinal parasites in past Chinese populations. Here, we bring together evidence from mummies, ancient latrines, and pelvic soil from burials, dating from the Neolithic Period to the Qing Dynasty, in order to better understand the health of the past inhabitants of China and the diseases endemic in the region. Seven species of intestinal parasite have been identified, namely roundworm, whipworm, Chinese liver fluke, oriental schistosome, pinworm, Taenia sp. tapeworm, and the intestinal fluke Fasciolopsis buski. It was found that in the past, roundworm, whipworm, and Chinese liver fluke appear to have been much more common than the other species. While roundworm and whipworm remained common into the late 20th century, Chinese liver fluke seems to have undergone a marked decline in its prevalence over time. The iconic transport route known as the Silk Road has been shown to have acted as a vector for the transmission of ancient diseases, highlighted by the discovery of Chinese liver fluke in a 2,000 year-old relay station in northwest China, 1,500 km outside its endemic range.

Calcified Pulmonary Nodules Identified in a 350-Year-Old-Joseon Mummy: the First Report on Ancient Pulmonary Tuberculosis from Archaeologically Obtained Pre-modern Korean Samples

We found calcified pulmonary nodules in a middle-aged female mummy discovered from 350-yr-old Joseon tomb of Korea. In the CT scan, we found six radiopaque nodules in right lung, through the levels of thoracic vertebrae 1 to 6. We also found presumptive pleural adhesions in right thoracic cavity of CT images. We re-confirmed radiological findings by our post-factum dissection on the same mummy. By the differential diagnosis, we speculate that the radiopaque calcification nodules and associated pleural adhesion could have been caused by tuberculosis. This is the first-ever report on the pulmonary tuberculosis identified in archaeologically obtained, pre-modern Korean samples.

Ancient Mitochondrial DNA Analyses of Ascaris Eggs Discovered in Coprolites from Joseon Tomb

Analysis of ancient DNA (aDNA) extracted from Ascaris is very important for understanding the phylogenetic lineage of the parasite species. When aDNAs obtained from a Joseon tomb (SN2-19-1) coprolite in which Ascaris eggs were identified were amplified with primers for cytochrome b (cyt b) and 18S small subunit ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA) gene, the outcome exhibited Ascaris specific amplicon bands. By cloning, sequencing, and analysis of the amplified DNA, we obtained information valuable for comprehending genetic lineage of Ascaris prevalent among pre-modern Joseon peoples.

Paleoparasitological Studies on Mummies of the Joseon Dynasty, Korea

Paleoparasitology is the application of conventional or molecular investigative techniques to archeological samples in order to reveal parasitic infection patterns among past populations. Although pioneering studies already have reported key paleoparasitological findings around the world, the same sorts of studies had not, until very recently, been conducted in sufficient numbers in Korea. Mummified remains of individuals dating to the Korean Joseon Dynasty actually have proved very meaningful to concerned researchers, owing particularly to their superb preservation status, which makes them ideal subjects for paleoparasitological studies. Over the past several years, our study series on Korean mummies has yielded very pertinent data on parasitic infection patterns prevailing among certain Joseon Dynasty populations. In this short review, we summarized the findings and achievements of our recent paleoparasitological examinations of Joseon mummies and discussed about the prospects for future research in this vein.

Enterobius vermicularis Eggs Discovered in Coprolites from a Medieval Korean Mummy

While the presence of pinworm eggs in archaeological samples has been reported by many researchers in the New World, those have been detected very scarcely in the Old World, especially in East Asian countries. In fact, many parasite species were recovered from the archeological remains in Korea, eggs of Enterobius vermicularis had not been found. Recently, a female mummy buried in the 17th century was discovered in the Joseon tomb from Dangjin-gun, Chungcheongnam-do, Korea. After rehydration process for 12 days, investigations were carried on the luminal surface of the colon. From them, 3 eggs of E. vermicularis were recovered. They were elliptical, transparent with a thin egg shell, 50.3+/-5.2 microm (length) and 28.2+/-3.9 microm (width) in size. This is the first discovery of E. vermicularis eggs in East Asia.

Bio-anthropology and paleopathology of the SO10-IX muisca mummy from Sátivanorte, Boyacá, Colombia / Bioantropología y paleopatología de la momia muisca SO10-IX de Sátivanorte, Boyacá, Colombia

Introduction: The practice of artificial mummification of human corpses in America was common to most Andean pre-Hispanic societies to which the Muiscas belonged. Objective: bio-anthropologically and paleopathologically characterize the SO10-IX mummy.Materials and methods: Case and field history graphic study with invasive and non-invasive techniques. Results: Pre-Hispanic individual from the 14th century, male, 25 to 30 years of age. Macroscopic dental and osseous characteristics suggest it fitting the American Indian pattern. Evident absence of lower left member and right thigh, and the vertebral column reveals marked angular kyphosis, a pre-vertebral abscess in spindle shape, a lesion of vertebrate bodies T7 and T8, compatible with tuberculous spondylitis known as Pott’s disease. Also noted is the good state of the dentoalveolar complex. Conclusions: For the first time, there is evidence of tuberculosis, in pre-Hispanic times, in a Muisca mummy from the Andean plateau (high plains). Due to the multidisciplinary approach, the historical, geographic, paleopathologic, bio-anthropologic, cultural, and chronological contexts of the mummy were reconstructed, granting importance to this national heritage asset. Two facial reconstruction studies are proposed, preservation and manipulation, and a genetic analysis to confirm the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA. The ritual position of mummification caused difficulties in the study and measurement techniques.

Introducción: La práctica de la momificación artificial de cuerpos humanos en América, fue común a la mayoría de las sociedades prehispánicas andinas, a las que pertenecen los muiscas. Objetivo: Caracterizar bioantropológica y paleopatológicamente la momia S010-IX. Materiales y métodos: Estudio historiográfico de campo y de caso, con uso de técnicas invasivas y no invasivas. Resultados: Individuo prehispánico, del siglo XIV, sexo masculino, de 25-30 años de edad. Las características macroscópicas dentales y óseas sugieren que pertenece al patrón indígena americano. Presenta ausencia de miembro inferior izquierdo y muslo derecho. En la columna vertebral se observa una marcada cifosis angular, restos de un absceso prevertebral en forma de huso, una lesión de los cuerpos vertebrales T7 y T8, compatibles con una espondilitis tuberculosa conocida como Mal de Pott. Presenta un buen estado del complejo dentoalveolar. Conclusiones: Por primera vez se presenta evidencia de la existencia de tuberculosis, en época prehispánica, en una momia muisca del altiplano. Gracias al enfoque multidisciplinario se reconstruyó el contexto histórico, geográfico, paleopatológico, bioantropológico, cultural y cronológico de la momia, dándole la importancia a este bien patrimonial de la nación. Se proponen estudios de reconstrucción facial, preservación y manejo, y un análisis genético para confirmar la presencia de ADN de Mycobacterium tuberculosis. La posición ritual de la momificación, dificultó el estudio y las técnicas de medición.

Pre-Columbian Chagas disease in Brazil: Trypanosoma cruzi I in the archaeological remains of a human in Peruaçu Valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil

We evaluated the presence and distribution of Trypanosoma cruzi DNA in a mummy presenting with megacolon that was dated as approximately 560 ± 40 years old. The mummy was from the Peruaçu Valley in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. All samples were positive for T. cruzi minicircle DNA, demonstrating the presence and broad dissemination of the parasite in this body. From one sample, a mini-exon gene fragment was recovered and characterized by sequencing and was found to belong to the T. cruzi I genotype. This finding suggests that T. cruzi I infected humans during the pre-Columbian times and that, in addition to T. cruzi infection, Chagas disease in Brazil most likely preceded European colonization.

Analysis of Mitochondrial and Y-chromosomal DNA from 350-Year-Old Mummified Human Tissue / 대한법의학회지

This paper describes the successful DNA extraction and amplification, and analysis of mitochondrial and Y-chromosomal DNA from an approximately 350-year-old mummy exhumed from Gyunggi-do, South Korea in 2001. Sample tissue was obtained from internal organs such as lung, liver, and muscle of the mummy. Mummy tissue was rehydrated in trisodium phosphate solution, and protein was digested by proteinase K. Sample DNA was extracted using phenol-chloroform-isoamyl alcohol and silica column. Every step of DNA extraction and PCR was cautiously carried out according to general guideline to prevent contamination of the sample DNA. PCR products of mitochondial DNA (mtDNA) were observed with good yield, and sequence analysis of the mtDNA was successfully accomplished in the control regions (HV1, HV2, and HV3). In addition, minimal haplotype Y-STRs were tried to analysis. However, DYS19, DYS389l, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392 and DYS393 were only amplified and clearly genotyped. Sequence analysis of mtDNA and YSTR genotyping were performed more than twice with time intervals, and the results were accepted only when they showed the even profile for authenticating mummy DNA. There are some difficulties in the analysis of DNA from ancient mummified human remains has wellknown problems, such as low template quantity, poor quality of DNA, and the presence of PCR inhibitors. This implies that the most critical factor for ancient DNA analysis is extraction of DNA. In order to overcome these troubles, we used DNA extraction using phenol-chloroform-isoamyl alcohol and silica column and optimized PCR condition. Therefore, the analysis of mtDNA and Y-STRs from mummy was successfully performed.

Anthropometry of a Male Child Mummy from a Tomb of Joseon Dynasty Period in Korea / 체질인류학회지

On November 14, 2001, well -preserved male child corpse was excavated at Heapyeong Yoon's family mountain, Gyeonggi -do, in Korea. For one year after the excavation, the researches about this mummified male were made with various aspects including physical anthropology, forensic medicine, histology, radiology, and archaeology. After the researches, the mummy was presumed to be born at A.D. 1680, the middle of Joseon dynasty period and to die at about 5.5 years old by small pox or complications of same disease. This study is for physical anthropological measurement for this mummy and comparison to anthropometric data of mordern Korean 5 years old male child. The ratio of iliocristal height, iliospinal height and total arm length to standing height of the mummy is smaller than the same age group of mordern Korean. In cephalic index, the head of the mummy is hyperbrachycephalic, acrocephalic and hypsicephalic. There is no difference of cephalic index between the mummy and the same age group of mordern Korean. The mummy was taken the whole body computed tomography with 1mm slice distance. After automatic segmentation process of the skull, the model of the skull was reconstructed.

STUDY ON THE LIAO DYNASTY QIDAN ANCIENT CADAVER EXCAVATED FROM THE INNER MONGOLIA TOMB 6 / 中国法医学杂志

In November 1981,an ancient female cadaver of Qidan nationality in wulanchatu League of InnerMongolia was excavated.This cadaver was estimated approximately 25 year of age.She has been buriedfor about 900 years.The cadaver was a mummified corpse,and preserved in a comparatively intact state. The hair was intact and dark brown in colour.All viseral organs were dreg-like and dark brown incolour.The individual organ could not be identified from its exernal appearance.Only lungs werepreserved,adhering to the back of the thoracic cavity and looked like dry leaves.The peritonem wasdry and translucent and contained a few blood vessels.The muscles were also dry and dark brown or brownishgray in colour.The alveoli and the parenchma of the lung as well as bacterial spores were identified.The histologicalstructure of tissues from the heart region looked like the cross section of cardiac fiber.Collagenous fiberswere seen.Other tissues were mostly autolyzed.The cadaver were group B.According to results of toxic analysis,larger amount of arsenic was demonstratedin tissues from the stomach region.So it was deduced that the lady might die of an arsenical poisoning.Factors involving in the well preservation of this case are discussed.