Syphilitic infection in a pre-modern population from South Korea (19th century AD)

Datos Bibliográficos

ID6135633
AutoresE J Woo (0000-0002-7074-6022, Sejong University), Jae-Hyun Kim (0000-0002-3512-5837, Department of Archaeology and Art History, College of Humanities, Dong-A University, Busan), Jae Hyun Kim (0000-0002-0203-7443, Dong-A University), Won Joon Lee (0000-0002-2571-9201, National Forensic Institute), WON-JOON LEE (National Forensic Service Seoul Institute, Seoul), Helen Cho (0000-0002-0040-318X, Davidson College), Sunyoung Pak (0000-0003-1532-8546, Seoul National University)
Año2019
Volumen127
Número1
Páginas55-63
Fecha de publicación2019-01-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaAnthropological Science (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0918-7960 • E-ISSN: 1348-8570
EditorialAnthropological Society of Nippon (PUBLISHER • JP)
DOI10.1537/ase.181122
OpenAlexW2913167125
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas1
Referencias citadas36

Recent studies suggest that acquired syphilis evolved in the Old World from a non-sexually transmitted treponeme originating in the New World during early European expansion and colonization. However, when and via which route the bacteria were introduced into Asia remains uncertain. This study examined the first paleopathological evidence of syphilitic infection in an individual from the 19th century AD in South Korea. The individuals from a site identified as the middle and late Joseon period were examined for the presence of the skeletal lesions that are indicative of an acquired syphilitic infection. Direct macroscopic observation of the skeletal remains was conducted alongside radiological analysis. One individual displayed extensive pathologies throughout the cranial and postcranial skeleton. Treponematosis is the only disease that best explains the pattern of lytic cranial lesions and widespread bilateral symmetrical periosteal new bone of the postcranial elements. To date, paleopathological evidence of treponemal disease in Asia is severely limited. In this regard, this study provides meaningful data for studying the history of infectious disease in Asia. This study represents the only known archaeological case in South Korea

Biology · Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV · Late 19th century · Old World · Osteomyelitis · Paleopathology · Pathology · Period (music · Postcrania · Sexually transmitted disease · Syphilis · Treponematosis · Zoology · Forensic and Genetic Research · Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies · Medicine · Syphilis Diagnosis and Treatment · Surgery · Virology