Ancient DNA Uncovers 4,000-Year-Old Leprosy in the Americas
TL;DR Summary
A groundbreaking study reveals that leprosy, caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium lepromatosis, was present in Chile 4,000 years ago, predating European contact and challenging previous beliefs that the disease was introduced by colonists. This discovery, based on ancient DNA analysis, suggests a much earlier and complex history of leprosy in the Americas, highlighting the importance of advanced genetic techniques in understanding disease evolution.
- Mysterious Leprosy Pathogen Has Lurked in The Americas For 4,000 Years ScienceAlert
- 4,000-year-old Mycobacterium lepromatosis genomes from Chile reveal long establishment of Hansen’s disease in the Americas Nature
- Ancient DNA reveals rare leprosy strain in the Americas thousands of years before European contact Archaeology News Online Magazine
- Before Columbus: A 4,000-Year-Old Skeleton Reveals a Rare Leprosy Strain in the Americas SciTechDaily
- Leprosy in the Americas before Columbus Nature
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