Epidemiological insights from a large-scale investigation of intestinal helminths in Medieval Europe
The result's identifiers
Result code in IS VaVaI
<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F00216224%3A14210%2F20%3A00114298" target="_blank" >RIV/00216224:14210/20:00114298 - isvavai.cz</a>
Result on the web
<a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0008600" target="_blank" >https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0008600</a>
DOI - Digital Object Identifier
<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0008600" target="_blank" >10.1371/journal.pntd.0008600</a>
Alternative languages
Result language
angličtina
Original language name
Epidemiological insights from a large-scale investigation of intestinal helminths in Medieval Europe
Original language description
Parasitic helminths (worms) are important infections of humans in many less well developed countries, particularly those in tropical and sub-tropical regions. These infections are not a major problem in modern Europe but parasite eggs are readily detected in archaeological contexts. To estimate a key epidemiological parameter, the prevalence of infection, we examined large numbers of single graves from Medieval Europe and found that the rates of infection with two soil transmitted nematodes (Ascaris spp. and Trichuris trichiura) were as prevalent as in many modern endemic areas. We also identified two cestodes that humans acquire from eating undercooked red meat (Taenia spp.) or freshwater fish (Diphyllobothrium latum). Using prevalence and ancient DNA data we explored helminth epidemiology in Medieval European populations and factors that may influence infection including age, sex, sanitation, hygiene and culinary practices. The Medieval prevalence rates provide a historical baseline for Europe and an interesting comparator for modern epidemiological studies in other parts of the world. It is noteworthy that helminths were endemic in historical Europe but were eradicated prior to the development of modern drugs. In this sense studying changes in helminth prevalence in historical Europe may provide insights into control efforts in modern endemic regions.
Czech name
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Czech description
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Classification
Type
J<sub>imp</sub> - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database
CEP classification
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OECD FORD branch
60102 - Archaeology
Result continuities
Project
<a href="/en/project/GA18-08646S" target="_blank" >GA18-08646S: The emergence of early medieval aristocracy in East-Central Europe: An archaeological-historical view</a><br>
Continuities
P - Projekt vyzkumu a vyvoje financovany z verejnych zdroju (s odkazem do CEP)
Others
Publication year
2020
Confidentiality
S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů
Data specific for result type
Name of the periodical
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
ISSN
1935-2735
e-ISSN
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Volume of the periodical
14
Issue of the periodical within the volume
8
Country of publishing house
US - UNITED STATES
Number of pages
20
Pages from-to
1-20
UT code for WoS article
000566949500002
EID of the result in the Scopus database
2-s2.0-85090002655