Parasite Eggs in Historic Sediments from the Tocco Site

(St. Louis, Missouri)

Johnica J. Morrow

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