Taenia sp. in human burial from Kan River, East Siberia

Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz. 2017 May;112(5):387-390. doi: 10.1590/0074-02760160442. Epub 2017 Mar 27.

Abstract

We present an arhaeoparasitological analysis of a unique burial from the Neftprovod II burial ground in East Siberia, which dated from the Bronze Age. Analysis of a sediment sample from the sacral region of the pelvis revealed the presence of Taenia sp. eggs. Because uncooked animal tissue is the primary source of Taenia, this indicated that the individual was likely consuming raw or undercooked meat of roe deer, red deer, or elk infected with Taenia. This finding represents the oldest case of a human infected with Taenia sp. from Eastern Siberia and Russia.

Publication types

  • Historical Article

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Burial
  • History, Ancient
  • Humans
  • Paleopathology*
  • Rivers
  • Siberia
  • Taenia / isolation & purification*

Grants and funding

Financial support: Russian Foundation for Basic Research (grant #17-06-00302 A).