Paleoparasitological analysis of a 15th–16th c. CE latrine from the merchant quarter of Bruges, Belgium: Evidence for local and exotic parasite infections

A paleoparasitological analysis of 15th–16th century latrine sediments from Bruges, Belgium, reveals the presence of Schistosoma mansoni eggs, a parasite endemic to Sub-Saharan Africa, the Arabian peninsula, and South America. This discovery provides direct evidence for the movement of S. mansoni outside its traditional endemic regions during the medieval period, likely linked to trade or migration involving Bruges' merchant population. The study also identified local parasites such as roundworm, whipworm, liver fluke, and Taenia tapeworm, consistent with historical records. The findings suggest that S. mansoni may have been introduced to Europe through trade voyages or forced migration, offering new insights into the epidemiology of parasitic diseases in pre-modern populations.

Ledger, M. L., Poulain, M., & Deforce, K. (2024). Paleoparasitological analysis of a 15th–16th c. CE latrine from the merchant quarter of Bruges, Belgium: Evidence for local and exotic parasite infections. Parasitology, 151(11), 1281–1289. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0031182024001100