This review investigates ancient infectious diseases in the Americas dated to the
pre-colonial period and considers what these findings can tell us about the history
of the indigenous peoples of the Americas. It gives an overview, but focuses on four
microbial pathogens from this period: Helicobacter pylori,
Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Trypanosoma cruzi
and Coccidioides immitis, which cause stomach ulceration and gastric
cancer, tuberculosis, Chagas disease and valley fever, respectively. These pathogens
were selected as H. pylori can give insight into ancient human
migrations into the Americas, M. tuberculosis is associated with
population density and urban development, T. cruzi can elucidate
human living conditions and C. immitis can indicate agricultural
development. A range of methods are used to diagnose infectious disease in ancient
human remains, with DNA analysis by polymerase chain reaction one of the most
reliable, provided strict precautions are taken against cross contamination. The
review concludes with a brief summary of the changes that took place after European
exploration and colonisation.
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