The Recurring Issue of Syphilis in Europe: Comment on “Ancient Genomes Reveal a Deep History of <i>Treponema pallidum</i> in the Americas”

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by Treponema pallidum, whose origin in Europe remains debated. Recent analysis of five ancient T. pallidum genomes from Central American surrounding Columbus's time revealed genetic diversity suggesting an emergence of syphilis in Europe, after the 16th century colonisation of the Americas. However, this study missed two pre-Columbian Mexican genomes, and paleopathological evidence of European treponematoses long before the 15th century. These discoveries challenge the notion of a single transatlantic introduction and point to a complex evolutionary history, marked by recombination events and genetic plasticity, suggesting a rhizomatic rather than linear model of evolution.