Paleodermatoses: lessons learned from mummies

Generalized dermatitis in the natural mummy of the Roman Catholic nun Marie-Léonie Martin (France, 1863-1941)

OBJECTIVE

To document skin lesions on a mummified individual from the XIX century and to diagnose the pathology based historical documentation and physical examination.

MATERIALS

Marie Leonie Martin (1863-1941) was a Roman Catholic nun. Her naturally mummified body is currently preserved in the Monastery of the Visitation in Caen (France). On the occasion of her beatification, the body was exhumed, studied and restored for conservation purposes.

METHODS

The mummy was analyzed histologically and with CT imaging.

RESULTS

The examination of the body noted areas of skin discoloration of reddish color; the paleopathological investigations revealed the presence of skin lesions (pustules) distributed throughout the body, with the exception of the face, abdomen and palms. The histological analyses of the pustules showed the presence of a central duct for the leakage of exudate, hyperkeratosis of the stratum corneum and a proliferation of cells in the spinous layer (acanthosis) of the epidermis.

CONCLUSIONS

The red discoloration of the skin is typical of extensive erythema.

SIGNIFICANCE

Our understanding of skin conditions in the past is extremely limited. This study provides the first paleopathological case of diagnosed unclassified endogenous eczema and provides insight into the antiquity and effects of the disease.

LIMITATIONS

It was not possible to carry out a genetic analysis due to DNA contamination of the mummy.

Technical note: A comparison between rehydrating solutions in the pretreatment of mummified and corified skin for forensic microscopic examination

Microscopic examination of mummified or corified skin may be of extreme importance for forensic purposes. However, standard histological samples in these cases are low-end, and preparation is burdened by several problems and so are diagnostic results: an improvement of these types of specimens is therefore advantageous. This study aims to identify the best performing rehydration solution among a fabric softener, a body lotion, and Sandison's rehydrating solution. Samples of skin undergoing mummification or corification were collected from 25 corpses and each sample was divided into 4 fragments: one of these fragments was directly fixated in 4% formalin, one was previously treated with a tissue softener, another one was previously treated with a body lotion, and the last one was treated with Sandison's solution. After 72 h, the pretreated samples were post-fixated in 4% formalin and then prepared for standard histological examination staining the histological slides with hematoxylin-eosin and Masson's trichrome. At the microscopic examination, samples directly fixated in formalin were characterized by usual marked structural alterations and altered stainability, typical of such dry tissues. Vice versa, those previously treated appeared to be better-preserved even though with different improvement levels: body lotion made a medium-low-grade restoration of the tissues, and fabric softener a high-grade restoration, while Sandison's rehydrating solution produced an optimal grade restoration. Sandison's rehydrating solution was confirmed to be the best rehydrating substance for mummified and corified skin. Fabric softener could be, however, considered a valid substitute, being productive of high-grade microscopic yield.

Histomorphological aspects of cadaveric skin and its possible use in forensic genetics

The skin is rarely considered as good biological material for successful DNA typing when a corpse is found in a leathery, mummified or partially skeletonised state, as bones and teeth are the gold standard in these cases. This study evaluates the histomorphological aspects of nuclear chromatin (Lillie's staining) in leathery and mummified skin samples as an indicator for possible successful DNA typing. Chromatin was found in samples that underwent mummification or partial skeletonisation but not in samples in a wet type of post-mortem transformation, such as saponification or leathery transformation. As a preliminary result, a positive detection of DNA profiles was only observed in 1-year-old mummified or partially skeletonised samples. These findings suggest that specific areas of skin, even from severely deteriorated cadavers, can show nuclear chromatin and DNA. These preliminary results raise the potential use of skin samples as an alternative source of DNA in highly degraded corpses.

Study of skin of an Egyptian mummy using a scanning electron microscope

The first study of modified human remains using an electron microscope was carried out at the end of the 1950 and in 1979 the first result of the study involving a scanning electron microscope (SEM) was published for the first time. The study was mainly focused on the structure of tissues and cells. With the help of this technique cell and tissue elements, viruses and bacterial endospores as well as the structure of epithelium and the collagen contents of dermis were identified and described. In the above-mentioned case the object of the study using a SEM was a free part of the right hand (forearm with the dorsal and palmar parts of hand) of unknown origin, with signs of mummification revealed during microscopic analysis. Our study was aimed at finding the answer to the question if the mummification of the studied limb was natural or intentional, and if the study using a SEM could link the anonymous remains with ancient Egypt.

Laser treatment of amateur tattoos in Arabs in Kuwait: effectiveness and safety

BACKGROUND

Laser treatment of amateur tattoos on Fitzpatrick type V skin produces a considerable risk of complications because of the increased incidence of adverse pigmentary changes. The principle of selective photothermolysis predicts that the Q-switched alexandrite laser should be effective in removing tattoo ink with minimal side effects in patients with skin phototype V.

OBJECTIVE

To study the effectiveness of the Q-switched alexandrite (755 nm, 50 ns) laser in the treatment of amateur tattoos in Arabs in Kuwait.

METHODS

One hundred patients, each with multiple tattoos, were treated until total clearance. Fluences used ranged from 5 to 7 J/cm(2) with a spot size of 3 mm. Clinical evaluation was performed at baseline and at each follow-up visit until dyspigmentation resolved.

RESULTS

Total clearing was observed in all tattoos after an average of six sessions. Both tattoo clearing and post-laser hypopigmentation (29%) and hyperpigmentation (38%) increased with higher fluences.

CONCLUSION

In this prospective study, our findings suggest that the Q-switched alexandrite laser is an effective laser in removing amateur tattoos in patients with skin phototype V, but with a high incidence of pigmentary changes.

Mummies

Mummies are human remains with preservation of nonbony tissue. Mummification by natural influences results in so-called natural mummies, whereas mummification induced by active (human) intervention results in so-called artificial mummies, although many cultures practiced burial rites, which to some degree involved both natural and artificial mummification. Since they are so uniquely well-preserved, mummies may give many insights into mortuary practices and burial rites. Specifically, the presence of soft tissues may expand the scope of paleopathological studies. Many recent mummy studies focus on the development and application of nondestructive methods for examining mummies, including radiography, CT-scanning with advanced three-dimensional visualizations, and endoscopic techniques, as well as minimally-destructive chemical, physical, and biological methods for, e.g., stable isotopes, trace metals, and DNA. This article discusses mummification and gives a presentation of various key mummy finds and a brief history of mummy studies. A description of the extant key technologies of natural and medical science that are applied in mummy studies is given; along with a discussion of some of the major results in terms of paleopathology. It is also shown how mummy studies have contributed much to the knowledge of the cultural habits and everyday life of past populations. Finally the impact of mummy studies on analyses of mortuary practices and cultural history is discussed.