Infectious diseases in North Eastern Argentina: Treponematosis and its connection with population concentration

Abstract

This article presents cases of treponematosis in at least five individuals from different archeological sites in southern North Eastern Argentina and discusses how these cases were linked to the ways of life of the pre-Hispanic groups that inhabited this region for at least 2000 years. We carried out the reanalysis and reinterpretation of some of the pathological cases, including a comparison between our observations and previous diagnoses made by other authors. Thirty-three bone elements corresponding to a minimum number of five adults from three archeological sites were analyzed. These sites were excavated in the early and mid-20th century, and the archeological materials are currently under the guardianship of different museums. The macroscopic description of bone lesions was surveyed. The bone lesions in long bones, mainly saber shin appearance in tibiae, and one cranial vault are consistent with the development of treponematosis. This diagnosis in five individuals in the south of North Eastern Argentina adds to the two cases previously reported. The discussion is focused on the link between the presence of this pathology and the ethnohistorical, archeological, and environmental context of the studied area.