title: A possible Echinococcus granulosus calcified cyst found in a medieval adult female from the churchyard of Santo Domingo de Silos (Prádena del Rincón, Madrid, Spain).
abstract: Calcification, or mineralisation, can occur as part of a natural process, or by pathological processes. The purpose of this work is to examine an unidentified semi-spherical and perforate hollow mass, found near the pelvis of an adult female, dated 12th-13th century AD, exhumed of the Church of Santo Domingo de Silos (Prádena del Ricón, Madrid, Spain). The mass was examined by SEM and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy. These procedures revealed a heterogeneous inner surface with both smooth and irregular areas. A larger spherical and several smaller crescent-shaped perforations were noticed. X-ray microanalysis revealed the presence of the elements C, K, P, Ca, Al, Si, Fe, and Mg. The co-localisation of Ca and P suggests that they may be combined in a mineral matrix, likely formed in vivo. Other minerals probably came from the soil, although Fe could be related to the presence of blood. The macroscopic and microscopic appearances, chemical composition, and location of the calcified mass point to a possible hydatid cyst from Echinococcus granulosus, common in agricultural populations. This study used a suite of analytical techniques that are useful in the diagnosis of unknown calcified masses and can, therefore, be recommended for use in future analytical work.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigação em Antropologia e Saúde (CIAS), Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Portugal. Electronic address: manu_alvaro16@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Álvaro M
authors.initials: ÁM
authors.lastname: Monge Calleja
authors.affiliation: Depart. Biología, Unidad Antropología Física, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Natasa
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sarkic
authors.affiliation: Depart. Biología, Unidad Antropología Física, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Jesus Herrerín
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: López
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Defesa Biológica, Unidade Militar Laboratorial de Defesa Biológica e Química, Exército, Portugal.
authors.forename: Wilson D T
authors.initials: WDT
authors.lastname: Antunes
authors.affiliation: CERENA, Instituto Superior Técnico, University of Lisbon, Portugal.
authors.forename: Manuel F C
authors.initials: MFC
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.affiliation: CiiEM, Egas Moniz Interdisciplinary Research Center, University Campus of Quinta da Granja, Monte de Caparica, Portugal.
authors.forename: António Pedro Alves de
authors.initials: APA
authors.lastname: Matos
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigação em Antropologia e Saúde (CIAS), Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Ana Luísa
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Santos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000473:pathology; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000266:history* / Q000473:pathology*; D048209:Echinococcus granulosus; D005260:Female; D049691:History, Medieval; D006801:Humans; D010163:Paleontology; D013030:Spain
keywords: Livestock; Paleopathology; Parasites; SEM; X-ray spectroscopy