Tuberculosis-like respiratory infection in 245-million-year-old marine reptile suggested by bone pathologies.

ABSTRACT: An absence of ancient archaeological and palaeontological evidence of pneumonia contrasts with its recognition in the more recent archaeological record. We document an apparent infection-mediated periosteal reaction affecting the dorsal ribs in a Middle Triassic eosauropterygian historically referred to as 'Proneusticosaurus' silesiacus. High-resolution X-ray microtomography and histological studies of the pathologically altered ribs revealed the presence of a continuous solid periosteal reaction with multiple superficial blebs (protrusions) on the visceral surfaces of several ribs. Increased vascularization and uneven lines of arrested growth document that the pathology was the result of a multi-seasonal disease. While visceral surface localization of this periosteal reaction represents t

SUBMITTER: Surmik D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6030318 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature