A case of nonvenereal treponematosis in a pre‐Hispanic adult from north‐eastern Argentina

• Published in: International journal of osteoarchaeology 2018-11, Vol.28 (6), p.757-765
• Main Authors: Ramos van Raap, María Agustina, Scabuzzo, Clara
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Archaeology; Bone diseases; differential diagnosis; Forensic osteology; Human remains; Hunter-gatherers; hunter–gatherer–fisher and horticulturist groups; Late Holocene; treponematosis; Upper Delta of Paraná River
• ISSN: 1047-482X; 1099-1212
• DOI: 10.1002/oa.2701

This article presents a case of treponemic disease in a skeleton of a female adult found at Los Tres Cerros 1 archaeological site (Upper Delta of Paraná River, Entre Ríos, Argentina). This site was occupied by hunter–gatherer–fisher groups that also practised horticulture during the Late Holocene (ca. 1227–560 years BP). A macroscopic description of bone lesions is complemented with data from X‐rays and CT scans. Different types of lesions were observed in the left ulna, femora, right patella, tibiae, and fibulae. In addition, two remodelled depressions surrounded by bony thickening and porosities were found in the frontal bone. Some lesions registered in the skull were associated with caries sicca. In the differential diagnosis, chronic leg ulcers, Paget's disease, tuberculosis, leprosy, osteomyelitis, and treponematosis were considered. The analyses indicate that most of the injuries may be compatible with nonvenereal forms of treponematosis. Few cases of treponemic disease were recorded in Argentina's bioarchaeological collections of pre‐Hispanic populations. Specifically, in the north‐eastern region, two skeletons with treponematosis have so far been reported. The present study provides new evidence of treponematosis in the Delta of the Paraná River. Therefore, this case adds to the scant evidence of pre‐Hispanic treponematosis that exists for these latitudes.