Helminth infections common in Medieval Europe, grave study finds

Date:
August 27, 2020
Source:
PLOS
Summary:
Although helminth infections -- including tapeworms and roundworms
-- are among the world's top neglected diseases, they are no longer
endemic in Europe. However, researchers report that these infections
were common in Medieval Europe, according to grave samples analyzed
from across the continent.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Although helminth infections -- including tapeworms and roundworms --
are among the world's top neglected diseases, they are no longer endemic
in Europe.

However, researchers reporting in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases report
that these infections were common in Medieval Europe, according to grave samples analyzed from across the continent.


========================================================================== Helminths are parasitic worms and they infect an estimated 1.5 billion
people worldwide. The worms are transmitted through eggs that are present
in human feces and can contaminate soil and water. While some infections
cause only mild symptoms, others are associated with chronic malnutrition
and physical impairment, particularly in children.

In the new work, Adrian Smith of the University of Oxford, UK, and
colleagues analyzed 589 grave samples from 7 European sites dated between
680 and 1700 CE.

Samples were taken from the pelvises of skeletons. Data associated with
the sites allowed them to assess the influence of age, sex and community
size on helminth infection rates.

Two soil transmitted nematodes -- Ascaris spp. and Trichuris
trichiura -- were identified at all locations, and two food derived
cestodes -- Diphyllobothrium latum and Taenia spp. -- were found at
4 sites. No helminths were found in any control samples. The rates of
nematode infection in the medieval population were estimated at 8.5%
(range 1.5%-25.6%) for T. trichiura and 25.1% (range 9.3%-42.9%) for
Ascaris, similar rates to those seen in modern endemically infected populations. There were no differences in infection rates by sex or
community population size, but infection rates were most common among
children.

"Since the prevalence of medieval soil transmitted helminth infections
mirror those in modern endemic countries, the factors affecting helminth decline in Europe may also inform modern intervention campaigns," the researchers say.

"The parasites in past communities can tell us a lot about living
conditions including hygiene, sanitation and even culinary practices."

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by PLOS. Note: Content may be edited
for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Patrik G. Flammer, Hannah Ryan, Stephen G. Preston, Sylvia Warren,
Rena'ta Přichystalova', Rainer Weiss, Valerie Palmowski, Sonja
Boschert, Katarina Fellgiebel, Isabelle Jasch-Boley, Madita-Sophie
Kairies, Ernst Ru"mmele, Dirk Rieger, Beate Schmid, Ben Reeves,
Rebecca Nicholson, Louise Loe, Christopher Guy, Tony Waldron,
Jiři' Macha'ček, Joachim Wahl, Mark Pollard, Greger
Larson, Adrian L.

Smith. Epidemiological insights from a large-scale investigation
of intestinal helminths in Medieval Europe. PLOS Neglected Tropical
Diseases, 2020; 14 (8): e0008600 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008600 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/08/200827141311.htm

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