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Cañal V, Barberena R, Urquiza S, Cringoli G, Beltrame MO. Recovering ancient parasites from Andean herbivores: test of the Mini-FLOTAC technique in archaeological samples. Parasitol Res 2024; 123:112. [PMID: 38270709 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-024-08130-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
The optimization of techniques for recovering parasitic remains is key in paleoparasitology. The Mini-FLOTAC technique (MF) is based on passive flotation and is used for diagnosis of parasites and was never tested on ancient samples. Our objective was to assess the effectiveness of MF in paleoparasitology, aiming at improving the techniques for the recovery of parasitic remains in order to upgrade the interpretative potential of the paleoparasitological evidence. Three techniques were tested: MF, spontaneous sedimentation (SS), and centrifugation-sucrose flotation (CF) testing camelid and goat coprolites. Statistical tests were performed with the R software. Our result displayed that, in the case of SAC samples, MF recovered less number of parasitic species than SS, but obtained a greater number of positive samples for protozoa. For goat samples, MF recovered a higher number of positive samples and parasitic species than SS, added that it was the technique that recovered a greater number of parasite structures. Therefore, results vary according to the zoological origin of the samples and the parasitic species recorded. We suggest starting using MF on ancient samples as a complementary method to those traditionally used in paleoparasitology. It is important to highlight that MF was a simple and faster way. The incorporation of reliable quantitative techniques opens the door to a new way of analyzing archaeological remains, deepening the study of the parasite-host relationships and its evolution through time with an epidemiological approach. Although further studies are needed, our results suggest the complementarity of these techniques in future paleoparasitological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Cañal
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción, Sanidad y Ambiente (IIPROSAM), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ramiro Barberena
- Centro de Investigación, Innovación y Creación (CIIC-UCT), Facultad de Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades, Universidad Católica de Temuco, Temuco, Chile
- Instituto Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Básicas (ICB), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Padre Jorge Contreras 1300 (5500), Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Silvana Urquiza
- Instituto de Arqueología y Museo, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales E IM, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) , Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Giuseppe Cringoli
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - María Ornela Beltrame
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Producción, Sanidad y Ambiente (IIPROSAM), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Cascardo P, Pucu E, Leles D. REVIEW OF PARASITES FOUND IN EXTINCT ANIMALS: WHAT CAN BE REVEALED. J Parasitol 2021; 107:275-283. [PMID: 33844838 DOI: 10.1645/20-30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Parasitism is inherent to life and observed in all species. Extinct animals have been studied to understand what they looked like, where and how they lived, what they fed on, and the reasons they became extinct. Paleoparasitology helps to clarify these questions based on the study of the parasites and microorganisms that infected those animals, using as a source material coprolites, fossils in rock, tissue, bone, mummy, and amber, analyses of ancient DNA, immunodiagnosis, and microscopy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Cascardo
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Parasitos, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, 21041-210, Brazil
| | - Elisa Pucu
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Parasitos, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, 21041-210, Brazil
| | - Daniela Leles
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Parasitos, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto Biomédico, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, 21041-210, Brazil
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Valverde G, Ali V, Durán P, Castedo L, Paz JL, Martínez E. First report in pre-Columbian mummies from Bolivia of Enterobius vermicularis infection and capillariid eggs: A contribution to Paleoparasitology studies. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PALEOPATHOLOGY 2020; 31:34-37. [PMID: 32932201 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpp.2020.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study was designed to search for ancient parasites in abdominal content and coprolites from Bolivian mummies. MATERIALS Twelve mummified individuals from the Andean highlands, housed at the National Museum of Archaeology (MUNARQ) in La Paz, Bolivia. METHODS Microscopic analysis of rehydrated samples (coprolites and abdominal content), following Lutz's spontaneous sedimentation technique. RESULTS Eggs of Enterobius vermicularis were identified in coprolites from one mummy, and capillariid eggs in the organic abdominal content from another individual. CONCLUSIONS This is the first evidence of ancient intestinal parasites in Bolivian mummies. SIGNIFICANCE This pioneering study focused on the search of ancient intestinal parasites in human remains of the Bolivian Andes and contributes to greater knowledge of paleoparasitology in South America. LIMITATIONS All mummies in the MUNARQ belonged to the Andean Bolivian highlands (post-Tiwanaku era or Late Intermediate Period), although the exact provenance of the material and the associated contexts are not well recorded. SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH Considering the great number of well-known archaeological sites and other unexplored sites in Bolivia, in addition to large collections in museums, further paleopathological and paleoparasitological molecular studies in mummies and skeletons are called for.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guido Valverde
- Instituto de Investigación en Salud y Desarrollo (IINSAD), Calle Claudio Sanjinés s/n, Complejo Hospitalario de Miraflores, La Paz, Bolivia
| | - Viterman Ali
- Instituto de Investigación en Salud y Desarrollo (IINSAD), Calle Claudio Sanjinés s/n, Complejo Hospitalario de Miraflores, La Paz, Bolivia; Cátedra de Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Mayor de San Andrés (UMSA), Av. Saavedra 2246, La Paz, Bolivia
| | - Pamela Durán
- Instituto de Investigación en Salud y Desarrollo (IINSAD), Calle Claudio Sanjinés s/n, Complejo Hospitalario de Miraflores, La Paz, Bolivia; Cátedra de Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Mayor de San Andrés (UMSA), Av. Saavedra 2246, La Paz, Bolivia
| | - Luis Castedo
- Museo Nacional de Arqueología (MUNARQ), Unidad de Arqueología y Museos (UDAM), Viceministerio de Interculturalidad, Ministerio de Culturas y Turismo, Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia, Calle Tiahuanacu No. 93, Esq. Federico Suazo, La Paz, Bolivia
| | - José Luis Paz
- Museo Nacional de Arqueología (MUNARQ), Unidad de Arqueología y Museos (UDAM), Viceministerio de Interculturalidad, Ministerio de Culturas y Turismo, Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia, Calle Tiahuanacu No. 93, Esq. Federico Suazo, La Paz, Bolivia
| | - Eddy Martínez
- Instituto de Investigación en Salud y Desarrollo (IINSAD), Calle Claudio Sanjinés s/n, Complejo Hospitalario de Miraflores, La Paz, Bolivia; Cátedra de Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Mayor de San Andrés (UMSA), Av. Saavedra 2246, La Paz, Bolivia.
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Camacho M, Araújo A, Morrow J, Buikstra J, Reinhard K. Recovering parasites from mummies and coprolites: an epidemiological approach. Parasit Vectors 2018; 11:248. [PMID: 29661215 PMCID: PMC5902992 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2729-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2017] [Accepted: 02/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
In the field of archaeological parasitology, researchers have long documented the distribution of parasites in archaeological time and space through the analysis of coprolites and human remains. This area of research defined the origin and migration of parasites through presence/absence studies. By the end of the 20th century, the field of pathoecology had emerged as researchers developed an interest in the ancient ecology of parasite transmission. Supporting studies were conducted to establish the relationships between parasites and humans, including cultural, subsistence, and ecological reconstructions. Parasite prevalence data were collected to infer the impact of parasitism on human health. In the last few decades, a paleoepidemiological approach has emerged with a focus on applying statistical techniques for quantification. The application of egg per gram (EPG) quantification methods provide data about parasites' prevalence in ancient populations and also identify the pathological potential that parasitism presented in different time periods and geographic places. Herein, we compare the methods used in several laboratories for reporting parasite prevalence and EPG quantification. We present newer quantification methods to explore patterns of parasite overdispersion among ancient people. These new methods will be able to produce more realistic measures of parasite infections among people of the past. These measures allow researchers to compare epidemiological patterns in both ancient and modern populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgana Camacho
- Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca/Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (ENSP/FIOCRUZ), Rua Leopoldo Bulhões, 1480, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21041-210, Brazil
| | - Adauto Araújo
- Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca/Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (ENSP/FIOCRUZ), Rua Leopoldo Bulhões, 1480, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21041-210, Brazil
| | - Johnica Morrow
- Department of Physical & Life Sciences, Chadron State College, 1000 Main Street, Chadron, NE, 69337, USA
| | - Jane Buikstra
- School of Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Karl Reinhard
- Pathoecology Laboratory, School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, 68583-0987, USA.
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Abstract
ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to provide some key points for researchers interested in the study of ancient gastrointestinal parasites. These few pages are dedicated to my colleague and friend, Prof. Adauto Araújo (1951-2015), who participated in the writing of this chapter. His huge efforts in paleoparasitology contributed to the development and promotion of the discipline during more than 30 years.
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Abstract
Parasite finds in ancient material launched a new field of science: palaeoparasitology. Ever since the pioneering studies, parasites were identified in archaeological and palaeontological remains, some preserved for millions of years by fossilization. However, the palaeoparasitological record consists mainly of parasites found specifically in human archaeological material, preserved in ancient occupation sites, from prehistory until closer to 2015. The results include some helminth intestinal parasites still commonly found in 2015, such as Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and hookworms, besides others such as Amoebidae and Giardia intestinalis, as well as viruses, bacteria, fungi and arthropods. These parasites as a whole provide important data on health, diet, climate and living conditions among ancient populations. This chapter describes the principal findings and their importance for knowledge on the origin and dispersal of infectious diseases.
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Comparison of the performance of two spontaneous sedimentation techniques for the diagnosis of human intestinal parasites in the absence of a gold standard. Acta Trop 2014; 131:63-70. [PMID: 24321383 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2013.11.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2013] [Revised: 10/29/2013] [Accepted: 11/29/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Performance evaluation of diagnostic tests is critical in the search for accurate diagnoses. A gold standard test is usually absent in parasitology, thus rendering satisfactory assessment of diagnostic accuracy difficult. Moreover, reliability (assessed by the study of repeatability) is a rarely studied characteristic of diagnostic tests. This study compared and evaluated the performance (repeatability, concordance and accuracy) of the spontaneous sedimentation technique (SST) and the Paratest for the diagnosis of Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica complex, Blastocystis spp., Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm, Trichuris trichiura and Calodium hepaticum. Fecal samples of 143 individuals were separated into three replicates for each test. Concordance and homogeneity of the results between replicates of each test and between tests were evaluated. Proportions of positives, sensitivity and specificity were estimated using a Bayesian Latent Class Model. High repeatability of both tests was found for the detection of intestinal parasites, except for Blastocystis spp. and hookworm. Concordance between tests was generally high (concordance correlation coefficient, 0.72-0.88), except for Blastocystis spp., hookworm and T. trichiura. The Paratest detected more cases of Blastocystis spp. and fewer of hookworm than the SST. The tests were quite discordant in the detection of T. trichiura. A low sensitivity (39.4-49.2% for SST, 35.8-53.8% for Paratest) and a high specificity (93.2-97.2%) were found for both tests. The Paratest presented a slightly higher sensitivity for the diagnosis of Blastocystis spp. (53.8%), and SST did so for hookworm (49.2%). This is the first study on repeatability and accuracy (using a Bayesian approach) of two spontaneous sedimentation techniques. These results suggest underdiagnosis of little dense parasitic forms due to technical limitations in both tests. We conclude that the combined study of repeatability, concordance and accuracy is a key strategy for better evaluation of the performance of tests and is also useful for the identification of technical limitations.
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