Is it possible to diagnose TB in ancient bone using microscopy?

Schultz, Michael; Schmidt-Schultz, Tyede H.

doi:10.1016/j.tube.2015.02.035

Cited by 24 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…The overall frequency of endocranial lesions appears low in comparison with an 18th/19th century sample from the town of Bern in which 7.9% of all individuals were affected. Endocranial granular impressions and new bone formation have been associated with tuberculous meningitis (Schultz, ; Schultz, ; Schultz & Schmidt‐Schultz, ) or more generally with intrathoracic infection (Hershkovitz et al, ), but especially in children, it may also be the result of growth processes, trauma and inflammatory processes (Lewis, ). One young adult individual (grave 45) with endocranial lesions had new bone formation at the vertebral ends of several ribs and on the anterior scapula; thus a diagnosis of intrathoracic infection seems likely.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Medieval/Early Modern Alpine Population from Zweisimmen, Switzerland: A Comparative Study of Anthropology and Palaeopathology

Somers

Cooper

Alterauge

et al. 2017

Intl J of Osteoarchaeology

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To date, anthropological comparative studies from Switzerland are rare. Therefore, this research aims to make a comparison between the alpine individuals from , and 17 other rural and urban populations from Switzerland all dating to the medieval and early modern period. An osteoarchaeological analysis was carried out on the rural population of Zweisimmen, consisting of 134 skeletons. For each individual, the arm position and orientation were observed in the field, while preservation, representation, sex, age, stature, trauma and pathologies were recorded in the laboratory. These results were compared with data from published and grey literature in order to gain a better understanding of chronological and regional patterns in Switzerland. A chronological development was observed in the orientation, arm position and use of a coffin, which suggests a change in burial practices and beliefs throughout time. The demographic profile represents a natural mortality; however, children and especially neonates are underrepresented in this sample. Some individuals were buried in groups, suggesting simultaneous burial during a period of increased mortality. The palaeopathological findings suggest that the living conditions in rural alpine Zweisimmen were similar to those of other contemporaneous populations, as well as those living in an urban setting.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Medieval/Early Modern Alpine Population from Zweisimmen, Switzerland: A Comparative Study of Anthropology and Palaeopathology

Somers

Cooper

Alterauge

et al. 2017

Intl J of Osteoarchaeology

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“…Regarding the distribution of affected specimens by age at death, APDIs occurred with In summary, in more than two-thirds of 216 out of the 427 selected skeletons with sectioned skulls from the Terry Collection that exhibited APDIs, the very slight stage of the aforementioned lesion was detected. As for the localisation of PAs, ABVIs, and GIs, findings of the current PhD dissertation were similar to those of previous studies (e.g., Mensforth et al, 1978;Schultz, 1993Schultz, , 1999Hershkovitz et al, 2002;Schultz & Schmidt-Schultz, 2015):…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Evaluation of endocranial bony changes in relation to tuberculosis in the Robert J. Terry Anatomical Skeletal Collection (Washington, DC, USA)

Spekker

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“…7) and reactive bone formation. Although essentially non-specific, these features have been used as diagnostic hallmarks in various paleopathological reports (Blondiaux et al, 1994;Schultz and Roberts, 2002;Wapler et al, 2004;von Hunnius et al, 2006;Flohr and Schultz, 2009;Nicklisch et al, 2012;Schultz and Schmidt-Schultz, 2015). In most of these cases histology did not provide a definitive diagnosis, but rather narrowed down the differential diagnosis.…”

Section: Infectious Diseasesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diagnostic dry bone histology in human paleopathology

Boer

Merwe

2016

Clinical Anatomy

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Paleopathology is the study of trauma and disease as may be observed in ancient (human) remains. In contrast to its central role in current medical practice, microscopy plays a rather modest role in paleopathology. This is at least partially due to the differences between fresh and decomposed (i.e., skeletonized or "dry bone") tissue samples. This review discusses these differences and describes how they affect the histological analysis of paleopathological specimens. First, we provide a summary of some general challenges related to the histological analysis of palaeopathological specimens. Second, the reader is introduced in bone tissue histology and bone tissue dynamics. The remainder of the paper is dedicated to the diagnostic value of dry bone histology. Its value and limitations are illustrated by comparing several well-studied paleopathological cases with similar contemporary, clinical cases. This review illustrates that due to post-mortem loss of soft tissue, a limited number of disorders display pathognomonic features during histological analysis of skeletonized human remains. In the remainder of cases, histology may help to narrow down the differential diagnosis or is diagnostically unspecific. A comprehensive, multidisciplinary diagnostic approach therefore remains essential. Clin. Anat. 29:831-843, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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Is it possible to diagnose TB in ancient bone using microscopy?

Cited by 24 publications

References 8 publications

A Medieval/Early Modern Alpine Population from Zweisimmen, Switzerland: A Comparative Study of Anthropology and Palaeopathology

A Medieval/Early Modern Alpine Population from Zweisimmen, Switzerland: A Comparative Study of Anthropology and Palaeopathology

Evaluation of endocranial bony changes in relation to tuberculosis in the Robert J. Terry Anatomical Skeletal Collection (Washington, DC, USA)

Diagnostic dry bone histology in human paleopathology

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