Volume 95 (2009) of the Journal of Parasitology represented a significant benchmark in the history of paleoparasitology when it received on the cover formal recognition as a topical area for publication. This retrospective examination chronicles the emergence of paleoparasitology, from its origins as an adjunct contribution to the study of prehistoric human populations to its modern expression ...

Paleoparasitology is the study of parasites found in archaeological material. The development of this field of research began with histological identification of helminth eggs in mummy tissues, analysis of coprolites, and recently through molecular biology. An approach to the history of paleoparasitology is reviewed in this paper, with special reference to the studies of ancient DNA identified ...

Paleoparasitology: the origin of human parasites; Paleoparasitologia: a origem dos parasitas humanos" (2013). Karl Reinhard Papers/Publications. Paper 17.

Parasitism is composed by three subsystems: the parasite, the host, and the environment. There are no organisms that cannot be parasitized. The relationship between a parasite and its host species most of the time do not result in damage or disease to the host. However, in a parasitic disease the presence of a given parasite is always necessary, at least in a given moment of the infection. Some...

Paleoparasitology is a discipline of bioarchaeology that studies human and animal parasites their evolution through time. It at the frontier between biological sciences humanities, aims to provide valuable clues about lifestyles former populations. Through examples chosen among recent case studies, we show in this review how paleoparasitology contributes issues related food, health, hygiene, or...

Eighteen years ago, when we began our studies in paleoparasitology, the main question proposed was whether Schistosoma mansoni infection has been really introduced by African slave trade in South America or has it been present among indians before Columbus. Up to now the question remains without answer, but it is interesting to point to some old and recent arguments regarding schistosome infect...

The parasite-host-environment system is dynamic, with several points of equilibrium. This makes it difficult to trace the thresholds between benefit and damage, and therefore, the definitions of commensalism, mutualism, and symbiosis become worthless. Therefore, the same concept of parasitism may encompass commensalism, mutualism, and symbiosis. Parasitism is essential for life. Life emerged as...