Ancient DNA Uncovers 4,000-Year-Old Leprosy in the Americas
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.