Helmintos, protozoários e algumas idéias: novas perspectivas na paleoparasitologia
2002
The search of parasites in ancient human remains can throw light on such
questions as origin and antiquity of parasite-host relationship, general distribution of
parasites through time and prehistoric human migrations. It can be a tool in the
interpretation of habits and migrations of prehistoric populations. Parasites found in
archaeological and paleontological sites can reveal much information about
phylogenetic and co-evolution of parasites. The nucleic acid based techniques of
parasites found in archaeological material open a new perspective to evolution at a
molecular level.
We assessed the utility of a commercially available enzyme immunoassay
(ELISA) kit for diagnosis of giardiasis in archaeological human remains. The kit is
based on a monoclonal antibody to detect the presence of Giardia Specific Antigen 65
in human feces. A total of 83 specimens, previously examined microscopically for
parasites were examined. The ELISA detected 3 positive samples, one of the samples as
old as 800 years. The immunoassay was superior to direct observation. The results did
not show cross reactivity between this protozoa and helminths. The use of ELISA to
detect G. duodenalis coproantigen could help the diagnosis of giardiasis in ancient
human remains.
A review of the paleoparasitological helminth and intestinal protozoa findings
available in the literature is also presented. We report the new paleoparasitologic
findings from the examination we performed in samples collected in New and Old
World archaeological sites. New finds of ancylostomid, Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris
trichiura, Enterobius vermicularis, Trichostrongylus spp., Diphyllobothrium latum,
Hymenolepis nana and Acantocephala eggs are reported.
According to the results, A. lumbricoides was originally a human parasite,
adapting to pigs after pig domestication. We also discussed alternative routes for human
parasite introduction into the Americas. Human ancylostomids, A. lumbricoides and T.
trichiura, found in the New World in pre-Columbian times, have not been introduced
into the Americas by land via Beringia.
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