Evidence for tuberculosis in 18th/19th century slaves in Anse Sainte-Marguerite (Guadeloupe - French Western Indies)

During the American colonization in the 18th and 19th century, Africans were captured and shipped to America. Harsh living and working conditions often led to chronic diseases and high mortality rates. Slaves in the Caribbean were forced to work mainly on sugar plantations. They were buried in cemeteries like Anse Sainte-Marguerite on the isle of Grande-Terre (Guadeloupe) which was examined by archaeologists and physical anthropologists. Morphological studies on osseous remains of 148 individuals revealed 15 cases with signs for bone tuberculosis and a high frequency of periosteal reactions which indicates early stages of the disease. 11 bone samples from these cemeteries were analysed for ancient DNA. The samples were extracted with established procedures and examined for the cytoplasmic multicopy β-actin gene and Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex DNA (IS 6110) by PCR. An amplification product for M. tuberculosis with the size of 123 bp was obtained. Sequencing confirmed the result. This study shows evidence of M. tuberculosis complex DNA in a Caribbean slave population.

Lettres juives, ou correspondance philosophique, historique et critique entre un juif voyageur en differens Etats de L'Europe, et ses correspondans en divers endroits

[Jean Baptiste d'Argens]

Mathilde Mallinger als Marguerite, Rollenbild, in: Charles Gounod: Faust

Signatur des Originals: S 36/F01180

Sophie Stehle als Marguerite, Rollenbild, in: Charles Gounod: Faust, München, 1864

Signatur des Originals: S 36/F01899

Sophie Stehle als Marguerite, Rollenbild, in: Charles Gounod: Faust, München, 1864

Signatur des Originals: S 36/F01900

Sarah Bernhardt als Marguerite Gauthier, Rollenbild, Brustbild, in: Alexandre Dumas: La dame aux camélias

Signatur des Originals: S 36/F03027

Marie Bossenberger als Marguerite, Rollenbild, Kniestück, in: Charles Gounod: Faust - Dresden: Königl. Hofoper

Signatur des Originals: S 36/F03125

Marguerite Carré, Rollenbild, Kniestück

Signatur des Originals: S 36/F08358

Marguerite Carré, Brustbild

Signatur des Originals: S 36/F08359

Teresina Sommerstorff als Marguerite, Rollenbild, Kniestück, in: Charles Gounod: Faust

Signatur des Originals: S 36/F08639

Felice Lyne als Marguerite, Rollenbild, Brustbild, in: Charles Gounod: Faust

Signatur des Originals: S 36/F09160

Felice Lyne als Marguerite, Rollenbild, Kniestück, in: Charles Gounod: Faust

Signatur des Originals: S 36/F09161