3rd World Conference on Parasitology & Pathogenesis
Chicago, USA
Rosana Wiscovitch-Russo
University of Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico
Title: In search of pre-Columbian parasites in Huecoid and Saladoid coprolites from Vieques, Puerto Rico
Biography
Biography: Rosana Wiscovitch-Russo
Abstract
DNA extraction and sequencing of pre-Columbian coprolites has provided information on the fecal microbiota and parasite burden of ancient humans. Nine pre-Columbian coprolites from the Island of Vieques, Puerto Rico, were utilized to determine parasite infection in two co-existing cultures; the Huecoid and Saladoid. The cores of the coprolites were used for DNA isolation and metagenomic shotgun sequencing. We performed a descriptive analysis of identified parasite sequences. Since these cultures co-existed in Vieques, a similar parasite infection scenario was expected between cultures. Also, given the matrix enteric parasites were anticipated. Polyparasitism was apparent, which lead to suspect poor overall health of the Huecoid and Saladoid cultures. Local and remote BLAST+ search revealed sequences of important enteric parasites Ascaris spp., Enterobius spp., and Parastrongyloides spp. with a query cover >80% and percent of identity >98%. Among the detected parasite sequences, Onchocerca spp. and Spirometra spp. reads were successfully mapped producing assemblies of >500 bp with a map quality >35 and a map error rate <0.03. Interestingly, several identified parasites were unexpected as they had not been detected in previous paleoparasitological research. These include Haemonchus spp., Onchocerca spp., Parastrongyloides spp. and Spirometra spp. Preliminary analysis of direct microscopy of the Huecoid and Saladoid coprolites identified Ascaris spp. and Enterobius spp. eggs, though parasite sequences without evidence of direct microscopy does not necessarily indicate its absence. Most of the detected parasites can be transmitted by the fecal-oral route and usually cause enteritis, an affliction incompatible with the formation of coprolites. Finding coprolites clearly indicated that there were no symptoms associated with gastroenteritis. Therefore, this may be a result of co-evolution allowing host resistance to diseases brought about by enteric parasites.