Year-end Sale % OFF 
Abstract
BackgroundThe Molavi street archeological site south of Tehran accidentally provided a unique opportunity for paleoparasitological studies in Iran. A female skeleton was unearthed and evaluated to be 7000 years old. Soil samples were collected around the pelvic and sacrum bones.FindingsCareful microscopic investigation of rehydrated soil samples revealed the presence of one Enterobius vermicularis egg attached to the skeleton sacral region.ConclusionThe present finding likely represents the oldest evidence of a human pinworm infection in Asia.
Highlights
The Molavi street archeological site south of Tehran accidentally provided a unique opportunity for paleoparasitological studies in Iran
In Iran, eggs of E. vermicularis and Oxyuris equi have been found in soil samples collected from the Chehrabad salt mine archeological site and dated back to between 1500–2500 years BC [5]
At a first glance the apparent morphological features of the egg were undoubtedly those of E. vermicularis: the asymmetrical shape and the size of 30 × 60 μm that was within the usual size range (50 to 60 μm by 20 to 30 μm), as reported [9, 10]
Summary
Excavation of a female skeleton at the “Molavi street” archeological site, has pushed back the presence of humans living in Tehran to seven thousand years ago, but has demonstrated the oldest occurrence of a pinworm infection on the Asian continent. Former studies indicated that Enterobius vermicularis could be considered as the most ancient parasite of our human ancestors [2]. Evidence of pinworm infections in ancient populations has been demonstrated at different archeological sites on the American continent, Europe and Asia [4].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
