"Revisiting the Origins of Syphilis: Insights from Ancient DNA"

A new study published in the journal Nature challenges the long-held belief that Christopher Columbus brought syphilis to Europe. DNA evidence from 2,000-year-old human remains in Brazil suggests that some form of syphilis was already present in the Americas before Columbus' arrival. While the study doesn't definitively rule out Columbus' fleet as a potential source, it does indicate that the bacteria causing syphilis was widespread across both continents before his time, shedding new light on the origins of the disease.