What's Happening?
Researchers have discovered traces of a bacterium related to syphilis in a 5500-year-old human bone from Colombia, suggesting that these bacteria infected humans much earlier than previously thought. The bacterium, Treponema pallidum, is known to cause
diseases such as syphilis, bejel, and yaws. This finding challenges the belief that such diseases only emerged with the rise of intensive agriculture. The ancient genome found in the Bogota savannah indicates a long-standing association of these bacteria with human populations, revealing a different lineage from modern relatives.
Why It's Important?
This discovery provides new insights into the evolutionary history of syphilis and its relatives, potentially altering our understanding of how these diseases spread and evolved. It suggests that these pathogens were present in the Americas long before European contact, which could reshape historical narratives about disease transmission. Understanding the ancient presence and evolution of these bacteria can inform current public health strategies and improve our knowledge of infectious disease dynamics.
