The modern form of the bacteria causing syphilis likely originated in the Americas within the last 8,000 years, according to research published yesterday. The discovery furthers a centuries-long debate around the curable—and now resurgent—condition, countering a long-held belief that the disease arrived in the Americas after European colonization.
Researchers identified early versions of the affliction-causing microbe, Treponema pallidum, on bacterial DNA extracted from the remains of five sick individuals from pre-Columbian Central and South America. Analysts cautioned the limited number of ancient DNA specimens of the bacteria worldwide minimizes any conclusions from the study, with one scientist suggesting the proto-bacteria may have first traveled with humans from Eurasia to the Americas.
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that is often initially asymptomatic but can develop into significant brain and cardiovascular issues (watch overview). Roughly 8 million new infections of syphilis occur annually. The infection is treatable with a round of antibiotics.
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