On the Origin of Syphilis: An Alternative Hypothesis.

Sexually transmitted diseases; Baker, B. J.; Syphilis; Epidemiological research; Treponema; Evolutionary theories; Biological adaptation; Armelagos, George J., 1936-2014; History

The article comments on the article "The origin and antiquity of syphilis," by B. J. Baker and G. J. Armelagos that appeared in a previous issue of this periodical. It talks about the support of epidemiological and evolutionary theory on different and plausible hypothesis of the origin of the syphilis outbreak and of venereal syphilis. An examination of the distributions of the treponemes to determine their adaptations and their diffusion is discussed. The human clinical diseases caused by treponemes, such as yaws, pinta, endemic syphilis, and venereal syphilis, are also discussed.