Advances in Paleopathology: from phylogenetic analyses to ancient medical literature - an editorial forward

Abstract

this excellent Paleopathology Special Issue of Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz was distributed in 20 articles written by 50 scientists from six countries: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, France, Hungary, and United States. The papers cover an extensive field of knowledge from phylogenetic analyses of a DNA sequences through paleogenetic, paleopathology, paleoentomology, paleoepidemiology, paleoecology, paleosociology to ancient medical texts up to modern reading problems. For a better visualization of the whole text of this Special Issue, we are hight-lighting two or three phrases of the summary of each article to emphasize it importance. Article 1 by Katharina Dittmar et al.-"One of the crucial steps of authentication of a DNA sequences is phylogenetic consistency. Amplied sequences should fit into the phylogenetic framework of their supposed origin. In this paper some fundamental problems of phylogenetic analysis and interpretation of aDNA datasets are discussed. Suggestion for character sampling and treatment of missing date are made". Article 2 by Anderson Nonato do Rosario Marinho et al.-"The present paper discusses mtDNA and taphonomy of human remains from Moa, Beirada, and Zé Espinho sambaquis of Saquarema, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Preservation of microscopic lamellae and DNA is not related to the macroscopic integrity of the bones. Results here suggest that the preservation of amplifiable DNA fragments may have relation to the preservation of the lamellar arrangement as indicated by optical microscopic examination (polarized light)". Article 3 by Jennifer Raff et al.-"Vertebral lesions have been the main evidence for infection by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) in paleopathology. This study tests the hypothesis that rib lesions can serve as a useful marker for MTC infection within the Mississippian Schild skeletal collection from West-Central Illinois. Ribs from 221 adults and juveniles were examined, and affected individuals were tested for TB (tuberculosis) complex infection. The results support the use of ribs lesions as a marker for TB infection". Article 4 by Martín H Fugassa et al.-"Three techiniques to extract parasite remains from archeological were tested. The aim was not improve the sensitivity of recommended paleoparasitological techniques applied in archaelogical remains. Sediment collected from the pelvic girdle of a human body found in Cabo Virgenes, Santa Cruz, Argentina, associated to a Spanish settlement founded in 1584 known as Nombre de Jesús, was used to search for parasites. Positive results were obtained only with the modified technique, resulting in the finding of Trichuris trichiura eggs in the sediment". Article 5 by Christine White et al.-"This paper examines the synergism among diet, disease, and ecology at two related coastal Maya sites in Belize for the Postclassic and Historic periods (1350-1650 AD), which immediately follow the Classic period collapse. There are apparent differences in whole diets or degree of carnivory between individuals with lesions ind...