Opisthorchiasis in infant remains from the medieval Zeleniy Yar burial ground of XII-XIII centuries AD

摘要

We present a paleoparasitological analysis of the medieval Zeleniy Yar burial ground of the XII-XII centuriesAD located in the northern part of Western Siberia. Parasite eggs, identified as eggs of Opisthorchis felineus, werefound in the samples from the pelvic area of a one year old infant buried at the site. Presence of these eggs in the soilsamples from the infant’s abdomen suggests that he/she was infected with opisthorchiasis and imply consumptionof undercooked fish. Ethnographic records collected among the population of the northern part of Western Siberiareveal numerous cases of feeding raw fish to their children. Zeleniy Yar case of opisthorchiasis suggests that thisdietary custom has persisted from at least medieval times.