Osteomyelitis variolosa: A probable mediaeval case combined with unilateral sacroiliitis

Osteomyelitis variolosa, an issue inherited from the past: case report and systematic review

“…Nevertheless, the fact that smallpox affects bones has been recognized since at least 1568 [ 24 ]. Traces of osteoarticular sequelae of smallpox have been found on well-preserved bones excavated in a medieval cemetery [ 25 ]. Additionally, osteological evidence of osteomyelitis variolosa has been found in human remains from North America in the seventeenth century [ 24 ].…”

“…Alternatively, the articular space of the elbow is reduced, the joint is misshaped or dislocated, and the proximal radius and ulna are fused [ 13 – 20 , 22 ]. The elongated medial and lateral condyles of the humerus are visible in some patients [ 13 ], and a significantly lengthened humeral ectocondyle has also been seen in unearthed human medieval remains [ 25 ]. Imaging findings of the ankle show deformities of the distal tibia and fibula, as well as collapse and resorption of the talus, reduction of the articular space, and ankylosis with arthritis [ 15 – 17 , 20 ].…”

“…However, there is a risk of long-term complications after TEA, such as aseptic loosening, infection, and polyethylene or bushing wear [ 49 ]. Elbow deformity in patients with osteomyelitis variolosa is often combined with distal humeral dysplasia, lengthening of the condyles of the humerus, and distortion of the long bones [ 13 , 25 ], which further increases the operating difficulty of TEA. For the pain associated with knee secondary arthritis and the limitation of motion, it becomes the leading reason to seek medical advice for patients with osteomyelitis variolosa in the presence of knee deformity [ 15 , 20 ].…”

À propos de deux cas de brucellose dans le sud de la France aux époques médiévale et moderne (Abbaye Saint-Sauveur, Aniane ; La Closeraie, Aix-en-Provence)

“…24 Le second type de lésion ostéoarticulaire classiquement associé à la brucellose en paléopathologie est moins spécifique. Il s'agit de la sacro-iliite, également retrouvée sur des sujets anciens (Ortner, 2003 : 216-221 ;Aufderheide et Rodriguez-Martin, 2006 : 192-193 ;Darton et al, 2013). Une étude de Darton et al (2013) a relevé chez un individu daté de l'époque médiévale une sacro-iliite sur l'os coxal gauche.…”

Disease as a Factor in the African Archaeological Record

“…Several of the most fearsome pathogens, like cholera and smallpox (variola) virus, have not been amenable to paleogenomic methods—at least not yet. Paleopathologists have suggested that among communities with some “herd immunity,” there is evidence of bone lesions associated with smallpox suffered during childhood (Darton et al 2013 ), but case reports come mainly from Europe.…”