"Uncovering the Origins of Syphilis-Like Diseases: Ancient DNA Reveals Surprising Findings"

Researchers in Brazil have discovered the oldest known evidence of a syphilis relative in skeletons dating back 2,000 years, shedding light on the origins of the bacterium Treponema pallidum. The genetic evidence suggests that T. pallidum and T. pallidum endemicum diverged from a common ancestor about 14,000 years ago, challenging the theory that syphilis was brought to Europe by Christopher Columbus. The findings indicate that these bacteria could have traveled around the world with different human migrations much earlier than previously thought.