On head lice and social interaction in archaic Andean coastal populations

Arriaza, Bernardo; Standen, Vivien G.; Reinhard, Karl J.; Araújo, Adauto; Heukelbach, Jörg; Dittmar, Katharina

doi:10.1016/j.ijpp.2013.10.001

Cited by 23 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 30 publications

(47 reference statements)

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“…This in itself raised the possibility that studies of large samples could reveal variance in overdispersion and intensity based on host population factors. Arriaza and colleagues [ 69 ] continued this approach to louse parasitism in large populations studies of mummies, which led to conclusions regarding prehistoric social interaction over time.…”

Section: Working Towards a Paleoepidemiological Approachmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recovering parasites from mummies and coprolites: an epidemiological approach

et al. 2018

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In the field of archaeological parasitology, researchers have long documented the distribution of parasites in archaeological time and space through the analysis of coprolites and human remains. This area of research defined the origin and migration of parasites through presence/absence studies. By the end of the 20th century, the field of pathoecology had emerged as researchers developed an interest in the ancient ecology of parasite transmission. Supporting studies were conducted to establish the relationships between parasites and humans, including cultural, subsistence, and ecological reconstructions. Parasite prevalence data were collected to infer the impact of parasitism on human health. In the last few decades, a paleoepidemiological approach has emerged with a focus on applying statistical techniques for quantification. The application of egg per gram (EPG) quantification methods provide data about parasites’ prevalence in ancient populations and also identify the pathological potential that parasitism presented in different time periods and geographic places. Herein, we compare the methods used in several laboratories for reporting parasite prevalence and EPG quantification. We present newer quantification methods to explore patterns of parasite overdispersion among ancient people. These new methods will be able to produce more realistic measures of parasite infections among people of the past. These measures allow researchers to compare epidemiological patterns in both ancient and modern populations.

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Section: Working Towards a Paleoepidemiological Approachmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recovering parasites from mummies and coprolites: an epidemiological approach

et al. 2018

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“…This technique employs antibodies that react to the proteins unique to these organisms, regardless of whether the cysts are deformed or broken (Gonçalves et al 2002(Gonçalves et al , 2004Frías et al 2013). Ectoparasites can be detected by fine sieving of soil, and also looking for them on hair combs, mummies or ancient textiles (Mumcuoglu, 2008;Arriaza et al 2013;Forbes et al 2013). Mummies also have the potential to preserve the ancient DNA of endoparasites, the proteins secreted by these parasites when alive, and possibly the host antibodies made to fight the infection (Anastasiou and Mitchell, 2013b).…”

Section: How To Study Ancient Parasites (Palaeoparasitology)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Human parasites in the Roman World: health consequences of conquering an empire

Mitchell

2016

Parasitology

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Roman era is presented in order to demonstrate the species present at that time, and highlight the health consequences for people living under Roman rule. Despite their large multi-seat public latrines with washing facilities, sewer systems, sanitation legislation, fountains and piped drinking water from aqueducts, we see the widespread presence of whipworm (Trichuris trichiura), roundworm (Ascaris lumbricoides) and Entamoeba histolytica that causes dysentery. This would suggest that the public sanitation measures were insufficient to protect the population from parasites spread by fecal contamination. Ectoparasites such as fleas, head lice, body lice, pubic lice and bed bugs were also present, and delousing combs have been found. The evidence fails to demonstrate that the Roman culture of regular bathing in the public baths reduced the prevalence of these parasites. Fish tapeworm was noted to be widely present, and was more common than in Bronze and Iron Age Europe. It is possible that the Roman enthusiasm for fermented, uncooked fish sauce (garum) may have facilitated the spread of this helminth. Roman medical practitioners such as Galen were aware of intestinal worms, explaining their existence and planning treatment using the humoural theory of the period.

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“…Ciertamente la actitud sociocultural de tolerancia o rechazo frente a los ectoparásitos es un factor importante en la tasa de infestación y prevalencia comunitaria. También se debe considerar que los piojos presentan una alta tasa de reproducción y cerca del 10% de los individuos de una población contienen el mayor reservorio de parásitos, fenómeno que es conocido como distribución gregaria (Anderson 1993;Arriaza et al 2013;Reinhard y Buisktra 2003), cualidad que los vuelve un foco de contagio. En nuestro estudio, los casos con una carga mayor de pediculosis varían entre el 4% (un individuo) y 16% (cuatro individuos), es decir, que en el caso más extremo aproximadamente uno de cada seis individuos contendría el mayor reservorio de este insecto, lo cual es relevante si consideramos que el cementerio CAM-9 es pequeño (45 inhumaciones).…”

Section: Discusión Y Comentariosunclassified

“…El registro bioarqueológico de las Américas indica que la pediculosis presenta una notable antigüedad. En Brasil, Araújo et al (2000) hallaron liendres en un sitio de 10.000 años de antigüedad, mientras que en Chile, Rivera et al (2008) y Arriaza et al (2013) registraron pediculosis en el cabello de momias pertenecientes a la Cultura Chinchorro (ca. 3050-1050 AC).…”

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Tributos, Piojos Y Dioses: Implicancias Culturales Y Prevalencia De La Pediculosis en Individuos Del Sitio Incaico De Camarones 9, Norte De Chile

Arriaza

Aravena

Núñez³

et al. 2022

Chungará (Arica)

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En este trabajo se estudia la prevalencia de pediculosis en el sitio incaico Camarones 9 del extremo norte de Chile, con el propósito de contrastar lo descrito en las crónicas y lo observado en el registro bioarqueológico. La pediculosis es una ectoparasitosis frecuente, pero las respuestas culturales y su control varían de acuerdo a las poblaciones afectadas. Para profundizar en este tema se estudiaron 25 individuos que conservaron abundante cabellera, donde se cuantificó la presencia, ausencia y densidad de pediculosis en un área de 2 x 2 cm de cabello. De esta muestra, el 88% (22/25) fue positiva para pediculosis, con una densidad promedio de 4,4 liendres. Cabe señalar que uno de los individuos analizados tuvo una densidad de 30 liendres en un área de 2 x 2 cm, presentando la mayor cantidad de liendres del total de individuos estudiados. A la luz de esta evidencia, se discuten las prácticas culturales asociadas a la pediculosis, y si la considerable cantidad de especímenes observados habría sido utilizada como tributo durante el periodo Inca, cuando no existía otra forma de contribuir al Estado. Se concluye que la pediculosis fue endémica y que su tolerancia cultural y cosmovisión contribuyó a su prevalencia en el periodo Tardío.

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On head lice and social interaction in archaic Andean coastal populations

Cited by 23 publications

References 30 publications

Recovering parasites from mummies and coprolites: an epidemiological approach

Recovering parasites from mummies and coprolites: an epidemiological approach

Human parasites in the Roman World: health consequences of conquering an empire

Tributos, Piojos Y Dioses: Implicancias Culturales Y Prevalencia De La Pediculosis en Individuos Del Sitio Incaico De Camarones 9, Norte De Chile

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