Thoracic aortic aneurysm in a pre-Columbian (210 BC) inhabitant of Northern Chile: Implications for the origins of syphilis
Author
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Castro, Mario Mario
Author
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Benavente Aninat, María Antonieta
Author
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Ortega, José
Author
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Acuña, Renato
Author
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Montero, Carolina
Author
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Thomas, Carlos
Author
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Castro, Nicolás
Admission date
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2016-09-30T18:38:16Z
Available date
dc.date.available
2016-09-30T18:38:16Z
Publication date
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2016
Cita de ítem
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International Journal of Paleopathology 13 (2016) 20–26
es_ES
Identifier
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10.1016/j.ijpp.2016.01.002
Identifier
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https://repositorio.uchile.cl/handle/2250/140614
Abstract
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The aim of this work is to report a probable first case of a thoracic aortic aneurysm in the remains of a pre-Columbian individual from South America and to explore the relationship of this case to the only other paleopathological case previously described. We also consider the implications of both cases for the origins of syphilis. This study is based on the macroscopical analysis of human remains recovered during excavation of the Chiu Chiu 273 prehistoric cemetery, in the Antofagasta Region of Northern Chile. Ceramic sherds from the grave have a thermoluminescence date of 2160 +/- 100 A.P. or 210 B.C. The skeletal remains of an adult individual display resorptive lesions in both the sternum and the first two thoracic vertebrae, which are suggestive of a thoracic aortic aneurysm. The lesions observed in the case described are clearly compatible with the development of an aneurysm of the thoracic aorta (ascending portion and arch). We suggest that this aneurysm has a syphilitic etiology, considering the vascular segments compromised, the type of lesions observed, and the prevalent etiology of this kind of cardiovascular pathology in pre-penicillin times. Since the only two cases of thoracic aortic aneurysms reported to date have been found in the Americas and are clearly pre-Columbian, it can be suggested that venereal syphilis was present in the Americas in times before European contact.
es_ES
Patrocinador
dc.description.sponsorship
Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo Cientifico y Tecnologico (FONDECYT)
1970537