The finding of eggs of Diphyllobothrium in human coprolites (4.100-1.950 BC) from Northern Chile

Abstract

Twenty six coprolites from an archaeological site in the province of Iquique, northern Chile, were examined for parasites. Coprolites were found in two excavation units, I and II (Tiliviche site), dated respectively at 5,900 B.C. to 4,110 B.C. and 4,110 B.C. to 1,950 B.C., and identified as of human origin. Only at the unit II coprolites containing helminth eggs identified as Diphyllobothrium pacificum were found. The presence of this tapeworm, a parasite of the American Sea Lion, in human coprolites, points to a diet which included marine fishes and provides information on the antiquity of infection by Diphyllobothrium pacificum. It is interesting to note that Baer (1969) suggests the presence of this tapeworm in pre-Columbian populations when diagnosing the first human cases in today's population in Peru.

Food, parasites, and epidemiological transitions: A broad perspective

“…He was unaware that Callen and Cameron (1960) had discovered Diphyllobothrium eggs in ancient coprolites from coastal Peru, ironically proving Baer's hypothesis correct even before Baer developed the hypothesis. Subsequent research showed that D. pacificum was the most common parasite among prehistoric cultures in Peru and Chile at all time periods and across both paleoepidemiologic transitions as the infection is common today (Araújo et al, 1983, Ferreira et al, 1984and Patrucco et al, 1983. Reinhard and Urban (2003) discussed aspects of the infection among Chinchorro people from the extreme north of Chile dated between 4000 and 5000 years ago.…”

Detection of Giardia duodenalis antigen in coprolites using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

“…Archaeological samples Brazil 39 coprolites from archaeologic layers and 3 coprolites from colon contents of mummies, dated from 5230 BC to 1730 AD Chile 21 coprolites from archaeologic layers and 7 coprolites from colon contents of mummies, dated from 4100 BC to 800 AD USA 5 coprolites from archaeologic layers, dated from 1200 AD to 1300 AD Germany 3 medieval latrine soil samples, dated from 1500 AD to 1600 AD Argentina 2 coprolites from colon contents of mummies, pre-Colombian time France 1 coprolite from archaeologic layer, dated to about 400 000 BC and 1 medieval latrine soil sample, dated to about 1400 AD Belgium 1 medieval latrine soil sample, dated to the 18th century (Ferreira et al, 1980(Ferreira et al, , 1983(Ferreira et al, , 1987 neg (Ferreira et al, 1984;Araújo et al, 1985) neg. (<0.050) USA 2 samples with E. vermicularis eggs pos.…”

Possible influence of the ENSO phenomenon on the pathoecology of diphyllobothriasis and anisakiasis in ancient Chinchorro populations

“…These samples were later dated to 4800 BP. In addition, D. pacificum eggs in Chile were reported in four of 26 human coprolites from Tiliviche village (40 km inland), dating to 6060-3900 BP (Ferreira et al 1984). These findings demonstrate that either trade with infected fish reached inland, that inland people migrated to the coast to obtain marine resources, or both (Reinhard & Aufderheide 1990).…”