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Insights on the paleoepidemiology of ancient tuberculosis from the structural analysis of postcranial remains from the Ligurian Neolithic (northwestern Italy)

Sparacello, V.S.; Roberts, C.A.; Canci, A.; Moggi-Cecchi, J.; Marchi, D.

Insights on the paleoepidemiology of ancient tuberculosis from the structural analysis of postcranial remains from the Ligurian Neolithic (northwestern Italy) Thumbnail


Authors

V.S. Sparacello

A. Canci

J. Moggi-Cecchi

D. Marchi



Abstract

The aim of this research is to gain insights on the progression timeline of osteoarticular tuberculosis (TB) in people from the Neolithic period by using skeletal traits that are independent of the bony lesions. The body proportions and postcranial mechanical strength of bones from two individuals from Liguria in northwestern Italy (Arene Candide 5, adolescent, and Arma dell’Aquila 1, adult), were compared with the rest ofthe Ligurian Neolithic skeletal series (45 individuals). If TB led to wasting ofthe skeleton and lack of normal function that endured for years, as often happens today, a clear signature of postcranial gracility and disruption of development should be apparent. Conversely, rapid progress of the disease would leave little systemic macroscopic change in the skeleton, except for the bony lesions directly caused by the TB pathogen, suggesting a different level of bacterial virulence in the past. The extreme biomechanical gracility observed in the lower limb of Arene Candide 5 suggests a period of compromised diaphyseal periosteal apposition during ontogeny due to metabolic disturbances likely linked to TB. Results suggest that, in Neolithic Liguria, TB in humans saw a slow, chronic progression, which is characteristic of diseases with long histories of host-pathogen co-evolution.

Citation

Sparacello, V., Roberts, C., Canci, A., Moggi-Cecchi, J., & Marchi, D. (2016). Insights on the paleoepidemiology of ancient tuberculosis from the structural analysis of postcranial remains from the Ligurian Neolithic (northwestern Italy). International Journal of Paleopathology, 15, 50-64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpp.2016.08.003

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Aug 5, 2016
Online Publication Date Aug 12, 2016
Publication Date Dec 1, 2016
Deposit Date Aug 18, 2016
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal International Journal of Paleopathology
Print ISSN 1879-9817
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 15
Pages 50-64
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpp.2016.08.003

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