First European exposure to syphilis: The Dominican Republic at the time ofColumbian contact

Recognition of syphilis in Europe in the late 15th century and its prior ab sence suggest New World origin. Skeletal populations were examined from sit es with documented Columbian contact in the Dominican Republic. Examination of 536 skeletal remains revealed periosteal reaction characteristic of tre ponemal disease in 69%-14% of the afflicted population. Findings were ident ical to that previously noted in confirmed syphilis-affected populations an d distinctive from those associated with yaws and bejel: it was a low popul ation frequency phenomenon, affecting an average of 1.7-2.6 bone groups, of ten asymmetric and sparing hands and feet, but associated with significant tibial remodeling. While findings diagnostic of syphilis have been reported in the New World, actual demonstration of syphilis in areas where Columbus actually had contact was missing, until now The evidence is consistent wit h this site as the point of initial contact of syphilis and of its subseque nt spread from the New World to the Old.