CYSTICERCOSIS IN AN EGYPTIAN MUMMY OF THE LATE PTOLEMAIC PERIOD

FABRIZIO BRUSCHI Department of Experimental Pathology, Department of Ethology, Ecology ed Evolution, Department of Oncology, Transplants and Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Section of History of Medicine and Paleopathology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy

Search for other papers by FABRIZIO BRUSCHI in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
MASSIMO MASETTI Department of Experimental Pathology, Department of Ethology, Ecology ed Evolution, Department of Oncology, Transplants and Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Section of History of Medicine and Paleopathology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy

Search for other papers by MASSIMO MASETTI in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
MARIA TERESA LOCCI Department of Experimental Pathology, Department of Ethology, Ecology ed Evolution, Department of Oncology, Transplants and Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Section of History of Medicine and Paleopathology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy

Search for other papers by MARIA TERESA LOCCI in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
,
ROSALBA CIRANNI Department of Experimental Pathology, Department of Ethology, Ecology ed Evolution, Department of Oncology, Transplants and Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Section of History of Medicine and Paleopathology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy

Search for other papers by ROSALBA CIRANNI in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
, and
GINO FORNACIARI Department of Experimental Pathology, Department of Ethology, Ecology ed Evolution, Department of Oncology, Transplants and Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Section of History of Medicine and Paleopathology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy

Search for other papers by GINO FORNACIARI in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
Restricted access

We describe here an ancient case of cysticercosis that was discovered in an Egyptian mummy of a young woman of about 20 years of age who lived in the late Ptolemaic period (second to first centuries b.c.). On removal of the stomach and its rehydration, a cystic lesion in the stomach wall was observed by naked eye. Microscopical examination of sections of this lesion revealed a cystic structure, with a wall, with numerous projecting eversions, a characteristic feature of the larval stage (cysticercus) of the human tapeworm Taenia solium (or “pig tapeworm”). Immunohistochemical testing with serum from a T. solium–infected human confirmed the identity of the cyst. This finding is the oldest on record of the antiquity of this zoonotic parasite. This observation also confirms that, in Hellenistic Egypt, the farming of swine, along with man an intermediate host of this parasite, was present, and supports other archeological evidence.

Author Notes

Reprint requests: Fabrizio Bruschi, Department of Experimental Pathology, Via Roma 55, 56126 Pisa, Italy, Telephone: +39(050) 2218547, Fax: +39(050)2218557, E-mail: fbruschi@med.unipi.it.
  • 1

    Sandison AT, 1955. The histological examination of mummified material. Stain Techn 30 :277–283.

  • 2

    Šlais J, 1970. The Morphology and Pathogenicity of the Bladder Worms: Cysticercus cellulosae and Cysticercus bovis. Prague: Academia, 29–75.

    • PubMed
    • Export Citation
  • 3

    Munakata S, Hendricks JB, 1993. Effect of fixation time and microwave oven heating time on retrieval of the ki-67 antigen from paraffin embedded tissue. J Histochem Cytochem 41 :1241–1246.

    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 4

    Gonçalves MLC, Araújo A, Ferriera LF, 2003. Human intestinal parasites in the past: new findings and a review. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 98 :103–118.

  • 5

    Hart GD, Cockburn A, Millet NB, Scott JW, 1977. Editorial: autopsy of an Egyptian mummy. Can Med Assoc J 117 :461.

  • 6

    Liangbiao C, Tao H, 1981. Scanning electron microscopic view of parasites worm ova in an ancient corpse. Acta Acad Sinicae 3 :64–65.

  • 7

    Strouhal E, 1992. Life of the Ancient Egyptians. Norman, Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press, 117.

    • PubMed
    • Export Citation
Past two years Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 147 82 14
Full Text Views 143 12 6
PDF Downloads 59 13 6
 

 

 

 
 
Affiliate Membership Banner
 
 
Research for Health Information Banner
 
 
CLOCKSS
 
 
 
Society Publishers Coalition Banner
Save