Title |
Trichuris trichiura in a post-Colonial Brazilian mummy
|
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Published in |
Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, February 2015
|
DOI | 10.1590/0074-02760140367 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Rafaella Bianucci, Eduardo J Lopes Torres, Juliana MF Dutra Santiago, Luis Fernando Ferreira, Andreas G Nerlich, Sheila Maria Mendonça de Souza, Valentina Giuffra, Pedro Paulo Chieffi, Otilio Maria Bastos, Renata Travassos, Wanderley de Souza, Adauto Araújo |
Abstract |
Trichuris trichiura is a soil-transmitted helminth which is prevalent in warm, moist, tropical and subtropical regions of the world with poor sanitation. Heavy whipworm can result either in Trichuris dysenteric syndrome - especially in children - or in a chronic colitis. In heavy infections, worms can spread proximally and may cause ileitis. Here we provide first microscopic evidence for a T. trichiura adult worm embedded in the rectum of a post-Colonial Brazilian adult mummy. During Colonial and post-Colonial times, many European chroniclers described a parasitic disease named Maculo whose symptomatology coincides with heavy helminthiasis. Based on our findings and on comparison of ancient textual evidence with modern description of heavy whipworm, we feel confident in considering that the two syndromes are expressions of the same pathological condition. |
X Demographics
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
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United Kingdom | 1 | 25% |
Spain | 1 | 25% |
United States | 1 | 25% |
Unknown | 1 | 25% |
Demographic breakdown
Type | Count | As % |
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Members of the public | 3 | 75% |
Science communicators (journalists, bloggers, editors) | 1 | 25% |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
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Brazil | 1 | 1% |
Unknown | 69 | 99% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
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Student > Bachelor | 12 | 17% |
Researcher | 10 | 14% |
Student > Master | 10 | 14% |
Student > Doctoral Student | 8 | 11% |
Other | 4 | 6% |
Other | 13 | 19% |
Unknown | 13 | 19% |
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Agricultural and Biological Sciences | 8 | 11% |
Nursing and Health Professions | 5 | 7% |
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology | 5 | 7% |
Veterinary Science and Veterinary Medicine | 4 | 6% |
Other | 13 | 19% |
Unknown | 18 | 26% |