Author:
Henneberg Maciej,Holloway-Kew Kara,Lucas Teghan
Abstract
AbstractObjectiveThe key to evolution is reproduction. Pathogens can either kill the human host or can invade the host without causing death, thus ensuring their own survival, reproduction and spread. Tuberculosis, treponematoses and leprosy are widespread chronic infectious diseases whereby the host is not immediately killed. These diseases are examples of the co-evolution of host and pathogen. They can be well studied as the paleopathological record is extensive, spanning over 200 human generations.MethodsThe paleopathology of each disease has been well documented in the form of published synthetic analyses recording each known case and case frequencies in the samples they were derived from. Here the data from these synthetic analyses were re-analysed to show changes in the prevalence of each disease over time. A total of 69,379 skeletons are included in this study.ResultsThere was ultimately a decline in the prevalence of each disease over time, this decline was statistically significant (Chi-squared, p<0.001). A trend may start with the increase in the disease’s prevalence before the prevalence declines, in tuberculosis the decline is monotonic.ConclusionsIncrease in skeletal changes resulting from the respective diseases appears in the initial period of host-disease contact, followed by a decline resulting from co-adaptation that is mutually beneficial for the disease (spread and maintenance of pathogen) and host (less pathological reactions to the infection). Eventually either the host may become immune or tolerant, or the pathogen tends to be commensalic rather than parasitic.
Publisher
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Reference58 articles.
1. Ewald P. Evolution of Infectious Disease. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 1996.
2. Frank S. Immunology and evolution of infectious disease. Princeton: Princeton University Press; 2002.
3. Morgan AD , Koskella B. Coevolution of host and pathogen. In: Tibayrenc M. , editor. Genetics and evolution of infectious diseases. Amsterdam: Elsevier.; 2017. p.115–40.
4. Campbell J. Invisible invaders: smallpox and other diseases in aboriginal Australia, 1780-1880. Carlton: Melbourne University Press; 2007.
5. Benedictow OJ. The black death, 1346-1353: The complete history. Woodbridge: The Boydell Press; 2004.