Insights from paleomicrobiology into the indigenous peoples of pre-colonial America - A Review

This review investigates ancient infectious diseases in the Americas dated to the pre-colonial period and considers what these findings can tell us about the history of the indigenous peoples of the Americas. It gives an overview, but focuses on four microbial pathogens from this period: Helicobacter pylori, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Trypanosoma cruzi and Coccidioides immitis, which cause stomach ulceration and gastric cancer, tuberculosis, Chagas disease and valley fever, respectively. These pathogens were selected as H. pylori can give insight into ancient human migrations into the Americas, M. tuberculosis is associated with population density and urban development, T. cruzi can elucidate human living conditions and C. immitis can indicate agricultural development. A range of methods are used to diagnose infectious disease in ancient human remains, with DNA analysis by polymerase chain reaction one of the most reliable, provided strict precautions are taken against cross contamination. The review concludes with a brief summary of the changes that took place after European exploration and colonisation.

Prevalência de Helicobacter pylori no interior do Rio Grande do Sul / Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in a town located in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Em estudo retrospectivo, transversal, realizado em Passo Fundo, cidade localizada no interior do Rio Grande do Sul, analisaram-se 1.469 exames de endoscopia digestiva alta consecutivos, com biópsias para anatomopatológicos. Verificou-se que a maior prevalência de indivíduos com Helicobacter pylori ocorre na quinta década de vida. A região apresenta prevalência de 49,48 por cento , sendo de 51,36 por cento a da infecção nas mulheres e de 46,67 por cento nos homens. O impacto desse agente infeccioso justifica esforços no sentido de identificar medidas preventivas