what to know:
- Leprosy is one of the oldest human diseases and originated in Eurasia or Africa.
- A new study found that a separate species of leprosy bacteria of America is present before European settlement.
Scientists once considered Masheeli leprosy,
But now a new study Published in journal Science It is revealed that leprosy is a different form of bacteria Mourning – What is already roaming in America for at least one thousand years.
Therefore, leprosy was well affected by American indigenous people before European colonization.
Mourning In America
The study author analyzed more than 800 samples taken from ancient remains in Canada and Argentina.
The rebuilding, analysis of the genomes of bacteria taken from samples was done.
Comparison between samples showed that bacteria genomes belonged to specific industries Leprosy Species at each end of the continent.
However, they remained genetically equal. It suggested that the species of bacteria had spread rapidly in the US, perhaps covering Landmas in a few hundred years.
Leprosy is caused by two bacterial species, not one.
Leprosy is an ancient disease
Leprosy has been infecting humans for thousands of years. The disease presents many numb skin lesions. If left untreated, it may result in nerve damage, muscle weakness, paralysis and blindness. Today, leprosy can be treated with antibiotics, but the ancient victims were not so lucky.
Skeleton records from 2,000Bce have been found in India Masheeli leprosy,
They match the written record of leprosy in ancient literature from Indian, Chinese and African civilizations, as well as stories in Abraham religions.
Often, thesis ancient details combined the pain with the stigma of immorality or impurity of rituals.
But in 1874 Norwegian doctor Gerhard Arm Hansen found that the leprosy was caused by a micro organ. Masheeli leprosy,
In 2008, doctors in Mexico found another leprosy bacterial species- Mourning – In a leprosy patient.
Earlier, it was believed Leprosy What is the only pathogen capable of causing the disease. Now both forms of bacteria are known to cause it.
European spread disease, leprosy also
Nicholas Raskovan, head of the microbial pelogenomics unit at Pasteur Institute, France, led the investigation. He and his colleagues estimate Leprosy And Leprosy About a million years ago separated from a common ancestor.
“Diversification probably became independent of humans,” Rukovan told DW.
The arrival of America’s first European fleet in 1492 marked America the beginning of new diseases. Leprosy Leprosy Bacteria – what among them.
Archaeological evidence is shown Leprosy About 40,000 years ago, there were migration with human groups in Africa and Asia and Europe.
The introduction to the US by Europeans, with other diseases, destroyed indigenous communities and intensified the impact of the pathgans that were already roaming before colonial.
Search for LeprosyRaskovan said, ‘The variety of paths in history and their complex relations with humans in history has been exposed for a long time on the continent.
“European had a very important impact by bringing this new species [leprae] In America he said WhatsApp, “he said.
Leprosy Track and Trace
Rucovan hopes that the presence of leprosy in archeology records will improve the understanding of pre-colonial disease, which is uniquely in the absence of written records.
In addition, the study helps in understanding modern cases of leprosy, especially how it can jump from animals from humans.
“Our job is really starting to analyze, monitor and understand the variety of natural reservoirs as kick start [disease carriers]”Rukovan said.
He said that monitoring the disease and preventing spillover from animals to humans should be a priority.
The disease is still prevalent today – 200,000 cases have been reported every year globally. Brazil, India and Indonesia still report more than 10,000 new cases, according to WHO data.
Edited by: Fred Scholor
