Parasite Eggs in Historic Sediments from the Tocco Site (St. Louis, Missouri)
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Transcript of Parasite Eggs in Historic Sediments from the Tocco Site (St. Louis, Missouri)
Archaeoparasitology Studies parasites from archeological materials Coprolites, Mummified Tissues, Sediments from
Burials, Latrines, etc. Involves interdisciplinary collaboration
anthropologists, archaeologists, biochemists, entomologists, epidemiologists, forensic pathologists, geneticists, molecular biologists, palynologists, and parasitologists.
Gives new insights on a variety of questions: Agriculture, Climate Change, and Human Migrations Public Health in the Past Coevolution of Human-Parasite Interactions
The Tocco Site (23SL2315) Located along Broadway Street in St. Louis, Missouri Historic site dating from mid-19th to early 20th centuries Residential and commercial properties
Mound Fire Company No. 9 Photography Studio Druggist Grocer Saloon Confectioner Cigar Manufacturer
Excavated in January and September of 2010
Preliminary Processing Lab received two samples
Converted Water Closet Privy
30 mL of each sample weighed Concerted Water Closet-23.22g Privy-37.33g
Hydrochloric Acid Processing Samples Treated with HCl 3 Lycopodium Tablets Each Samples Mixed with dH2O Swirl Technique to extract macroscopic remains
Special Safety Equipment/Procedures Double Gloves and Eye Protection Long-Sleeved Lab Coat and Lead Apron HF-Approved Vent Hood and Calgonate Nearby
Hot HF Method Used Samples were Moved to Centrifuge Tubes and
Washed 3X with dH2O Hydrofluoric Acid Added to Samples Samples Heated in Water Bath for 20 Minutes Samples Washed With Glacial Acetic Acid
Hydrofluoric Acid Processing
Microscopy
Slides Prepared Using Glycerin
Slides Examined Using Jeneval (a.k.a. “The Beast”) Lycopodium spores counted
for quantification Parasite eggs measured using
a standard ocular micrometer
Results of Microscopic Analysis Converted Water Closet Trichuris trichuria
Post-Acetolysis 50µm X 22.5µm
Privy Trichuris trichuria
50µm X 22.5µm Ascaris lumbricoides
57.5µm X 42.5µm 65µm X 45µm 72.5µm X 40µm
Egg Concentration Calculations Egg Concentration = [(p/m) × a]/v
p = # of parasite eggs counted in sample Converted Water Closet: 1 T. trichuria Privy: 1 T. trichuria and 3 A. lumbricoides
m = # of Lycopodium spores counted Converted Water Closet: 57 Privy: 62
a = # of Lycopodium spores added to sample 12,500 spores/tablet3 tablets-37,500 spores/sample
v = volume of sediment sample 30mL of sediment for both samples
Egg Concentrations
Converted Water Closet: T. trichuria—22 eggs/mL
Privy: T. trichuria—20 eggs/mL A. lumbricoides—60 eggs/mL
Conclusions
Two common intestinal helminths infecting humans living and/or working in the Tocco Site
Low egg concentrations indicate good control of intestinal parasites
Conclusions Difference in egg concentrations may be
related to mechanisms of waste disposal Water closets use water to flush deposits into waste
pipes (indoor or outdoor) Privys are outdoor latrines
Further analysis of sediments from other
features within the Tocco Site could tell us more about historic human intestinal parasite prevalence
Acknowledgments Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDot)
Michael J. Meyer (Senior Historic Preservation Specialist)
University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) School of Natural Resource Sciences (SNR)
Dr. Karl J. Reinhard
Citations Bouchet, F., Guidon, N., Dittmar, K., Harter, S., Ferreira, L.F., Chaves, S.M., and
Reinhard, K.J. 2003 Parasite remains in archaeological sites. Memorias do Instituto do Oswaldo Cruz 98: 47-52.
Fisher, C.L., Reinhard, K.J., Kirk, M., and DiVirgilio, J. 2007 Privies and Parasites: The Archaeology of Health Conditions in Albany, New York. Historical Archaeology 41:172-197
Horn, P.D., and Tuck, J.A. 1996 Archaeoparasitology at a 17th century colonial site in Newfoundland. Journal of Parasitology 82:512–515.
Reinhard, K.J. 1990 Archaeoparasitology in North America. American Journal of Physical Anthropology 82:145-162.
Reinhard, K.J. 1992 Parasitology as an interpretive tool in archaeology. American Antiquity 57: 231-245.
Reinhard, K.J. 1994 Sanitation and parasitism at Harpers Ferry, Virginia. Journal of Historic Archaeology 28: 62-67.
Reinhard, K.J. 2000a Archaeoparasitology of features from the Picotte-Dec Site, Albany, New York. Report prepared for Ms. Leslie E. Raymer, New South Associates.
Citations Reinhard, K.J. 2000b Archaeoparasitology. In (L. Ellis, ed.) Archaeological Method
and Theory: An Encyclopedia. New York: Garland Publishing Co. pp. 52-60. Reinhard, K.J., Ambler, J.R., and McGuffie, M. 1985 Diet and parasitism at Dust
Devil Cave. American Antiquity 50: 819-824. Reinhard, K.J., Araújo, A., Ferreira, L.F., and Herrmann, B. 1986 Recovery of parasite
remains from coprolites and latrines: aspects of paleoparasitological technique. Homo 37: 217-239.
Reinhard, K.J., and Bryant, Jr. V.M. 1992 Coprolite analysis: a biological perspective on archaeology. In (M. B. Schiffer Ed.) Advances in Archaeological Method and Theory 4. Tucson: University of Arizona Press, pp. 245-288.
Scharf, T.J. 1883 History of St. Louis City and County. 2 Vols. Louis H. Everts and Company, Philadelphia.
Thienpont, D., Rochette, F., and Vanparijs, O.F.J. 1979 Diagnosing helminthiasis through coprological examination. Janssen Research Foundation. Beerse, Belgium. pp. 187.
Web Resources 1. www.modot.org/ehp/sites/Tocco.htm
Supplemental Information
Results from the Analysis of Macroremains.
Lab # Seeds Charcoal
Presence Fungal Bodies
Other Notable
Findings
1 None Yes Yes-Nodular Bodies Roots and Spongy
Minerals
2 164 Rubus None
None Night Soil Indications
3 None Yes None None
4 2 Grape Pips, 3 Rubus Yes
None Fly Puparium
(Fannia sclaris)
5 Many Unknown, 2 Rubus None
None None