Origin and evolution of syphilis: drifting myth.
The venereal form of treponematosis, caused by the spirochete Treponema pallidum, plagued every major city in the preantibiotic era. "Civilization means syphilization," was an idea touted by Richard von Krafft-Ebing in the late 19th, and early 20th centuries that the effects of modern life make men more susceptible to syphilis and other diseases. Christopher Columbus was thought of as an importer of syphilis to Europe. Because his serendipitous voyages to the New World initiated the process of Spanish colonization, which foreshadowed general European colonization of the New World, it is difficult to rule out the cultural and political animosity created by Columbus and his men. These recent revelations are intriguing and may create dialogue that may subsequently challenge the age-old theory of "East to West" spread of venereal syphilis. This contribution warrants the continuation of study in this direction, taking into account skeletal studies that utilized radiocarbon dating technique and the phylogenetic analysis of the bacterial strains, offering a possible consensus on the origin and evolution of syphilis.
Dermato-Venereology (Skin/VD) Center, Sehgal Nursing Home, Panchwati, Delhi, India. drsehgal@ndf.vsnl.net.in
Virendra N
VN
Sehgal
Prashant
P
Verma
Kingshuk
K
Chatterjee
Anita
A
Chaudhuri
Gautam
G
Chatterjee
Farhan
F
Rasool
D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D049668:History, 15th Century; D049669:History, 16th Century; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D013587:Syphilis / Q000266:history / Q000382:microbiology / Q000635:transmission*; D014210:Treponema pallidum / Q000302:isolation & purification*