Endemic treponemal diseases

Marks, Michael; Solomon, Anthony W.; Mabey, David

doi:10.1093/trstmh/tru128

Cited by 59 publications

(58 citation statements)

References 46 publications

(74 reference statements)

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“…This finding is consistent with reports from an earlier investigation of olive baboons at LMNP in 2007 ( 6 ) and in Guinea baboons ( Papio papio ) in the Niokolo Koba National Park, Senegal ( 11 ). In the context of human T. pallidum infection, where a latent stage is a key feature of infection ( 19 ) and which equally features positive serology in the absence of active skin lesions ( 20 ), this finding could argue for a similarity of disease progression in the NHP host. However, in the absence of long-term monitoring data for infected NHPs, relapsing cases, which would indicate the latent stage, cannot be identified, and standardized laboratory infection might be needed to obtain those data.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

WidespreadTreponema pallidumInfection in Nonhuman Primates, Tanzania

Chuma¹,

Batamuzi²,

Collins³

et al. 2018

Emerg. Infect. Dis.

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We investigated Treponema pallidum infection in 8 nonhuman primate species (289 animals) in Tanzania during 2015–2017. We used a serologic treponemal test to detect antibodies against the bacterium. Infection was further confirmed from tissue samples of skin-ulcerated animals by 3 independent PCRs (polA, tp47, and TP_0619). Our findings indicate that T. pallidum infection is geographically widespread in Tanzania and occurs in several species (olive baboons, yellow baboons, vervet monkeys, and blue monkeys). We found the bacterium at 11 of 14 investigated geographic locations. Anogenital ulceration was the most common clinical manifestation; orofacial lesions also were observed. Molecular data show that nonhuman primates in Tanzania are most likely infected with T. pallidum subsp. pertenue–like strains, which could have implications for human yaws eradication.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

WidespreadTreponema pallidumInfection in Nonhuman Primates, Tanzania

Chuma¹,

Batamuzi²,

Collins³

et al. 2018

Emerg. Infect. Dis.

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“…It presents with papillomas or normally painless ulcers which, if left untreated, may be followed by multiple skin lesions and sometimes more severe tissue and bone disease. The majority of clinical cases are seen in children under 15 years old (peak incidence 2–10 years), predominantly in isolated rural areas that have warm and humid climates [9]. …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrated Mapping of Yaws and Trachoma in the Five Northern-Most Provinces of Vanuatu

et al. 2017

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Yaws and trachoma are targeted for eradication and elimination as public health problems. In trachoma-endemic populations mass administration of azithromycin can simultaneously treat yaws. We conducted a population-based prevalence survey in the five northernmost provinces of Vanuatu, where trachoma and yaws are suspected to be co-endemic. Clinical signs of trachoma were evaluated using the WHO simplified grading system, and skin examination with a serological rapid diagnostic test used to identify yaws. We enrolled 1004 households in 59 villages over 16 islands, and examined 3650 individuals of all ages for trachoma. The overall adjusted prevalence of trachomatous inflammation-follicular (TF) in 1–9 year-olds was 12.0% (95% Confidence Interval: 8.1–16.7%), and the overall adjusted prevalence of TT in those aged 15 years and greater was 0.04% (95% CI 0–0.14%). In multivariate analysis, the odds of children having TF was 2.6 (95% CI = 1.5–4.4) times higher in households with unimproved latrines, and independently associated with the number of children in the household (OR 1.3, 95% CI = 1.0–1.6 for each additional child). We examined the skin of 821 children aged 5–14 years. Two children had yaws, giving an estimated prevalence of active yaws in those aged 5–14 years of 0.2% (95% CI = 0.03–0.9%). Mass treatment with azithromycin is recommended in these provinces. Given the apparent low burden of yaws, integration of yaws and trachoma control programmes is likely to be useful and cost-effective to national programmes.

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“…Much is known about skeletal lesions that arise in the secondary and tertiary stages of treponemal disease. Primary clinical studies (e.g., Akrawi, ; Csonka & Pace, ; Freedman & Meschan, ; Gerstl et al, ; Gjestland, ; Grin, ; Hackett, ; Mitjà, Hays, Ipai, Wau, & Bassat, , Mitjà et al, ; Murray, Merriweather, Freedman, & de Villiers, ; Willcox, ) and recent overviews (e.g., Antal, Lukehart, & Meheus, ; Farnsworth & Rosen, ; Giacani & Lukehart, ; Koff & Rosen, ; Marks, Solomon, & Mabey, ; Meheus, ) include substantial information on skeletal lesions, their frequencies and patterning, and similarities among yaws, bejel, and syphilis. Paleopathologists, however, do not always consult these sources, or use them selectively, and studies of diagnostic skeletal manifestations associated with documented treponemal disease such as those described by Hackett () and Hillson et al () are sometimes ignored in favor of heavily criticized methods such as SPIRAL (Rothschild and Rothschild, ).…”

Section: Paleopathologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Advancing the understanding of treponemal disease in the past and present

Baker

Crane-Kramer

Dee

et al. 2020

American J Phys Anthropol

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Syphilis was perceived to be a new disease in Europe in the late 15th century, igniting a debate about its origin that continues today in anthropological, historical, and medical circles. We move beyond this age-old debate using an interdisciplinary approach that tackles broader questions to advance the understanding of treponemal infection (syphilis, yaws, bejel, and pinta). How did the causative organism(s) and humans co-evolve? How did the related diseases caused by Treponema pallidum emerge in different parts of the world and affect people across both time and space? How are T. pallidum subspecies related to the treponeme causing pinta? The current state of scholarship in specific areas is reviewed with recommendations made to stimulate future work. Understanding treponemal biology, genetic relationships, epidemiology, and clinical manifestations is crucial for vaccine development today and for investigating the distribution of infection in both modern and past populations.Paleopathologists must improve diagnostic criteria and use a standard approach for recording skeletal lesions on archaeological human remains. Adequate contextualization of cultural and environmental conditions is necessary, including site dating and justification for any corrections made for marine or freshwater reservoir effects. Biogeochemical analyses may assess aquatic contributions to diet, physiological changes arising from treponemal disease and its treatments (e.g., mercury), or residential mobility of those affected. Shifting the focus from point of origin to investigating who is affected (e.g., by age/sex or socioeconomic status) and disease distribution (e.g., coastal/ inland, rural/urban) will advance our understanding of the treponemal disease and its impact on people through time. K E Y W O R D S archaeological biogeochemistry,

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Endemic treponemal diseases

Cited by 59 publications

References 46 publications

WidespreadTreponema pallidumInfection in Nonhuman Primates, Tanzania

WidespreadTreponema pallidumInfection in Nonhuman Primates, Tanzania

Integrated Mapping of Yaws and Trachoma in the Five Northern-Most Provinces of Vanuatu

Advancing the understanding of treponemal disease in the past and present

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