| Author | Leles, Daniela | |
| Author | Reinhard, Karl J. | |
| Author | Fugassa, Martín | |
| Author | Ferreira, L. F. | |
| Author | Iñiguez, Alena M. | |
| Author | Araújo, Adauto | |
| Access date | 2018-12-20T11:53:56Z | |
| Available date | 2018-12-20T11:53:56Z | |
| Document date | 2010 | |
| Citation | LELES, Daniele; et al. A parasitological paradox: Why is ascarid infection so rare in the prehistoric Americas?. Journal of Archaeological Science, v.37, p.1510–1520, 2010. | pt_BR |
| ISSN | 0305-4403 | pt_BR |
| URI | https://www.arca.fiocruz.br/handle/icict/30713 | |
| Language | eng | pt_BR |
| Publisher | Elsevier | pt_BR |
| Rights | restricted access | |
| Subject in Portuguese | Paleoparasitologia | pt_BR |
| Subject in Portuguese | Arqueoparasitologia | pt_BR |
| Subject in Portuguese | Coprólitos | pt_BR |
| Subject in Portuguese | Parasitismo | pt_BR |
| Subject in Portuguese | Tafonomia | pt_BR |
| Title | A parasitological paradox: Why is ascarid infection so rare in the prehistoric Americas? | pt_BR |
| Type | Article | |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.jas.2010.01.011 | |
| Abstract | Ascaris lumbricoides (giant roundworm) and Trichuris trichiura (whipworm) are the most common
intestinal parasites found in humans worldwide today and they almost always co-occur. However, we
find two distinct patterns in archaeological material. In historical North American and Old World
contexts, the association of A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura is similar to the modern epidemiological
picture. In contrast, the co-occurrence of A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura eggs in prehistoric South America
is rare. For prehistoric contexts, T. trichiura is the most common parasite found in archaeological material.
Recently molecular biology techniques pointed to a subdiagnosis of roundworm infection in pre-
Columbian South American populations. This is contrary to the modern epidemiological picture in which
A. lumbricoides infection is predominant. This is a paradox, especially when one considers the number of
eggs laid by female daily, 200,000 and 20,000 thousand per day, for A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura
respectively. By reviewing the records of these parasites, this paradox is presented and explanations for
the paradox are explored. Taphonomy, prehistoric behavior patterns and medicinal plant use seem to be
most relevant to the explanation of the paradox. Nematophagous fungi is a less likely factor creating the
near absence of A. lumbricoides eggs in the prehistoric New World. | pt_BR |
| Affilliation | Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Departamento de Genética. Laboratório de Genética Molecular de Microorganismos. Rio de Janeiro, RJ. Brasil. | pt_BR |
| Affilliation | University of Nebraska. School of Natural Resources. Lincoln, USA. | pt_BR |
| Affilliation | Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biologıa. Laboratorio de Zoonosis Parasitarias. Mar del Plata, Argentina. | pt_BR |
| Affilliation | Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca. Departamento de Endemias Samuel Pessoa. Rio de Janeiro, RJ. Brasil. | pt_BR |
| Affilliation | Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Departamento de Genética. Laboratório de Genética Molecular de Microorganismos. Rio de Janeiro, RJ. Brasil. | pt_BR |
| Affilliation | Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca. Departamento de Endemias Samuel Pessoa. Rio de Janeiro, RJ. Brasil. | pt_BR |
| Subject | Pathoecology | pt_BR |
| Subject | Paleoparasitology | pt_BR |
| Subject | Archaeoparasitology | pt_BR |
| Subject | Ascariasis | pt_BR |
| Subject | Trichuriasis | pt_BR |
| Subject | Coprolites | pt_BR |
| Subject | Parasitism | pt_BR |
| Subject | Taphonomy | pt_BR |
| DeCS | Ascaríase | pt_BR |
| DeCS | Tricuríase | pt_BR |
| e-ISSN | 1095-9238 | |
| Embargo date | 2030-01-01 | |
