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

A new study using DNA evidence has revealed that treponematosis, an age-old syphilis-like disease, existed in Brazil more than 2,000 years before Columbus arrived in the Americas. The disease was found in the remains of four individuals in Brazil, indicating that it was running rampant long before Columbus's arrival. This challenges the historical belief that Columbus brought syphilis-like diseases to the Americas. The findings suggest that treponemal diseases were already prevalent globally before Columbus sailed to the Americas, and the discovery may lead to a better understanding of the origins and history of syphilis and other treponemal diseases.