Possible influence of the ENSO phenomenon on the pathoecology of diphyllobothriasis and anisakiasis in ancient Chinchorro populations
Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz
;
105(1): 66-72, Feb. 2010. ilus, tab
Article
in English
| LILACS
| ID: lil-539298
ABSTRACT
Current clinical data show a clear relationship between the zoonosis rates of Diphyllobothrium pacificum and Anisakis caused by the El Niño Southern Oscillations (ENSO) phenomenon along the Chilean coast. These parasites are endemic to the region and have a specific habitat distribution. D. pacificum prefers the warmer waters in the northern coast, while Anisakis prefers the colder waters of Southern Chile. The ENSO phenomenon causes a drastic inversion in the seawater temperatures in this region, modifying both the cool nutrient-rich seawater and the local ecology. This causes a latitudinal shift in marine parasite distribution and prevalence, as well as drastic environmental changes. The abundance of human mummies and archaeological coastal sites in the Atacama Desert provides an excellent model to test the ENSO impact on antiquity. We review the clinical and archaeological literature debating to what extent these parasites affected the health of the Chinchorros, the earliest settlers of this region. We hypothesise the Chinchorro and their descendants were affected by this natural and cyclical ENSO phenomenon and should therefore present fluctuating rates of D. pacificum and Anisakis infestations.
Full text:
Available
Index:
LILACS (Americas)
Main subject:
Mummies
/
Anisakiasis
/
Ecosystem
/
Diphyllobothriasis
/
Meteorological Concepts
Type of study:
Prognostic study
/
Risk factors
Limits:
Animals
/
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
South America
/
Chile
/
Peru
Language:
English
Journal:
Mem. Inst. Oswaldo Cruz
Journal subject:
Tropical Medicine
/
Parasitology
Year:
2010
Type:
Article
/
Project document
Affiliation country:
Brazil
/
Chile
/
United States
Institution/Affiliation country:
Fiocruz/BR
/
Universidad de Tarapacá/CL
/
University of Nebraska/US
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