Analysis of the skeleton from tomb 144 of the early medieval necropolis of Vicenne-Campochiaro in Central Italy revealed several features indicative of leprosy. The skeleton belongs to a male estimated to be between 20 and 25 years of age. The distal halves of the 1st and 2nd left metatarsals present acro-osteolysis and both legs show severe subperiosteal bone reaction. The facial skeleton shows changes compatible with a chronic inflammatory process, possibly due to an infectious disease. The anatomical distribution of the lesions and their association with other skeletal lesions seem to be compatible with a near-lepromatous form of leprosy. A differential diagnosis is made and the skeletal traits pathognomonic of leprosy are discussed.

BELCASTRO M.G., MARIOTTI V., FACCHINI F., DUTOUR O. (2005). Leprosy in a skeleton from the 7th century necropolis of Vicenne-Campochiaro (Molise, Italy). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OSTEOARCHAEOLOGY, 15, 6, 431-448 [10.1002/oa.799].

Leprosy in a skeleton from the 7th century necropolis of Vicenne-Campochiaro (Molise, Italy)

BELCASTRO, MARIA GIOVANNA;MARIOTTI, VALENTINA;FACCHINI, FIORENZO;
2005

Abstract

Analysis of the skeleton from tomb 144 of the early medieval necropolis of Vicenne-Campochiaro in Central Italy revealed several features indicative of leprosy. The skeleton belongs to a male estimated to be between 20 and 25 years of age. The distal halves of the 1st and 2nd left metatarsals present acro-osteolysis and both legs show severe subperiosteal bone reaction. The facial skeleton shows changes compatible with a chronic inflammatory process, possibly due to an infectious disease. The anatomical distribution of the lesions and their association with other skeletal lesions seem to be compatible with a near-lepromatous form of leprosy. A differential diagnosis is made and the skeletal traits pathognomonic of leprosy are discussed.
2005
BELCASTRO M.G., MARIOTTI V., FACCHINI F., DUTOUR O. (2005). Leprosy in a skeleton from the 7th century necropolis of Vicenne-Campochiaro (Molise, Italy). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OSTEOARCHAEOLOGY, 15, 6, 431-448 [10.1002/oa.799].
BELCASTRO M.G.; MARIOTTI V.; FACCHINI F.; DUTOUR O.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11585/671
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