Ancient Vietnamese skeletons reveal maternal transmission of non-venereal treponemal disease
Researchers found evidence of congenital treponemal infection in three children from prehistoric Vietnam, suggesting diseases like yaws could be passed from mother to child.
An international research group analyzed human remains from 16 archaeological locations in Vietnam, spanning a period from 10,000 to 1,000 years before present. Among 309 individuals, three children showed clear signs of congenital treponematosis, including distinctive dental abnormalities and skeletal lesions dating back at least 3,500 years. The investigators argue that these findings point to a non-venereal treponemal disease, likely yaws, which spreads through skin contact.
This challenges the traditional use of congenital infection as a marker for venereal syphilis in ancient populations. The study also highlights difficulties in retrieving ancient DNA in tropical climates and calls for more collaborative, ethically sensitive research with descendant communities. The results may reshape interpretations of the global history of treponemal diseases.
Why it matters
It shows that maternal transmission can occur with diseases other than syphilis, altering how ancient infections are identified.
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