Researchers Tuberculosis over 500,000 years old?

Tuberculosis occurred much earlier than previously thought

23/04/2012

So far, researchers suspected that the tuberculosis pathogen had its first origin in the Neolithic period. Investigations of a roughly 500,000 year old fossil from a turkey from Turkey showed that the infectious disease probably occurred much earlier in human history than previously assumed in the world of researchers. The skull of a Homo erectus showed signs of meningitis caused by tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis leads to death statistics of bacterial infections
Tuberculosis (TBC or formerly known as tuberculosis) is one of the most common bacterial infections caused by a number of different bacteria in a germline. In most cases, the germs affect the human lung tissue. In the statistics of the World Health Organization WHO, tuberculosis is one of the most common deadly infectious diseases worldwide. According to a WHO analysis in 2009, in 2008 alone about 1.8 million people died of the sequelae of the disease.

Skull finding shows signs of a meningeal infection
An international research team, led by the „Department of Anthropology“ The University of Texas, Austin, has already been able to demonstrate in 2004, based on an analysis of the skull found that the serious illness was very likely to occur much earlier than previously thought. Until then, scientists believed that only a few thousand years ago, TBC first spread to humans. However, the find could disprove previous assumptions, so that the first early humans already had infections for the first time around 500,000 years ago. According to the experts of the University Medical Center Göttingen (UMG), the analyzed skull of a Homo erectus showed traces of a persistent meningitis, which usually occurs as a result of tuberculosis. The scientists now assume that the skull found belonged to a dark-skinned people from Africa who, in contrast to light-skinned humans, can produce significantly less vitamin D via sun exposure of the skin. Consequently, people with a dark complexion are particularly susceptible to tuberculosis.

However, the assumption is still not fully confirmed, which is why a team headed by Prof. Dr. med. Dr. Michael Schultz, palaeopathologist of the UMG, examines the replica of the 500,000-year-old skull for signs of tuberculosis. „From a purely morphological point of view, it is likely that the 'dimples' and indentations on the inside of the front skull are remnants of tuberculosis-induced meningitis“ explains the Göttingen palaeopathologist. If the assumption is correct, then the Turkish find „the only evidence worldwide of meningeal tuberculosis in humans from the fossil era“, so Schultz.

Tuberculosis pathogens affect the lungs and the brain
Tuberculosis affects the lungs in most cases, but can also spread to other internal organs. Often, therefore, the brain is affected, which is why a meningitis then arises. Therefore, the currently performed studies on the diagnosis of the skull. Clear grooves and cusp structures on the front of the anterior fossa can provide valuable clues here. Based on the size and severity of the eyebrow bones, the researchers estimate the age of the person between 18 and 30 years of age. The pieces of the skull found in travertine rock in a stone factory in Western Turkey.

The morphological discovery refers to an original of an identical cast of the discovered skull. Together with the US researcher Prof. John Kappelmann, the palaeopathologist in Göttingen wants to examine the part of the skull microscopically. The anthropologist Kappelmann from the University of Austin in Texas is a member of the research group, the leaders of the finds of the early humans examine. The original skull is still in Turkey. In summer 2012 further analyzes with a light microscope and a scientific endoscopy will follow. These could confirm or reject the morphological assumptions, the expert said.

It is already certain that the one-to-two-millimeter-wide disturbance of the anatomical structure on the skull was created when man was still alive. The features are typically indications of a meningeal infection. „In particular, the exact shape and placement of lesions on the skull are very characteristic of a particular form of tuberculosis. It is known as Leptomeningitis tuberculosa“, adds Prof. John Kappelmann.

Further investigations should confirm acceptance
„The paleopathological studies provide a new basis for interpreting the evolution and history of tuberculosis.“ says Schultz. If the previous assumptions confirm, the skull find of „of exceptional importance for the historical classification of TBC“. The first time of the occurrence of the infectious disease in human history would then have to be corrected.

Today, TBC can usually be treated well with antibiotic drugs. Nevertheless, it can not be prevented, especially in poorer regions of the world, from spreading. Every year about nine million new cases occur. The number of deaths has flattened much less in recent decades than the number of new cases. Since the pathogen can slumber for years in the body of an otherwise physically stable infected, without it comes to detectable symptoms, it is among other things hard to stop the spread entirely. All previous study results are in „American Journal of Physical Anthropology“ to read (135: 110-116, 2008). (Sb)

Also read:
Tuberculosis: the most dangerous infectious disease
New tuberculosis vaccine discovered?
Study: Tuberculosis increases lung cancer risk

Photo: Kappelmann, UMG: Even with the naked eye, the indentations and grooves on the inside of the skull of Homo erectus are visible. Picture: Kappelmann