Hannibal’s Ophthalmia—A New Answer to An Ancient Question
In the spring of 217 bce, shortly after Hannibal’s famous elephantborne crossing of the Alps, the general was afflicted by an acute, painful eye condition that has never been adequately explained and that led to permanent unilateral loss of vision in 1 eye. In modern times, scant attention has been...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
2021-01-01
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| Series: | Emerging Infectious Diseases |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/27/1/19-1696_article |
| _version_ | 1818370216620457984 |
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| author | Justin T. Denholm Patrick N. Hunt |
| author_facet | Justin T. Denholm Patrick N. Hunt |
| author_sort | Justin T. Denholm |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In the spring of 217 bce, shortly after Hannibal’s famous elephantborne crossing of the Alps, the general was afflicted by an acute, painful eye condition that has never been adequately explained and that led to permanent unilateral loss of vision in 1 eye. In modern times, scant attention has been given to understanding this condition. We review the historical and geographic evidence and consider possible infective explanations for Hannibal's condition, including elephant-associated zoonoses. Ultimately, we suggest that a keratitis from waterborne organisms, such as Pseudomonas spp. or Acanthamoeba spp., might provide the best answer to this ancient enigma. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-13T23:36:13Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-93aafadced9043c4abc02e2d8248a4ce |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1080-6040 1080-6059 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-13T23:36:13Z |
| publishDate | 2021-01-01 |
| publisher | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Emerging Infectious Diseases |
| spelling | doaj.art-93aafadced9043c4abc02e2d8248a4ce2022-12-21T23:27:18ZengCenters for Disease Control and PreventionEmerging Infectious Diseases1080-60401080-60592021-01-0127122322510.3201/eid2701.191696Hannibal’s Ophthalmia—A New Answer to An Ancient QuestionJustin T. DenholmPatrick N. HuntIn the spring of 217 bce, shortly after Hannibal’s famous elephantborne crossing of the Alps, the general was afflicted by an acute, painful eye condition that has never been adequately explained and that led to permanent unilateral loss of vision in 1 eye. In modern times, scant attention has been given to understanding this condition. We review the historical and geographic evidence and consider possible infective explanations for Hannibal's condition, including elephant-associated zoonoses. Ultimately, we suggest that a keratitis from waterborne organisms, such as Pseudomonas spp. or Acanthamoeba spp., might provide the best answer to this ancient enigma.https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/27/1/19-1696_articleHannibal’s ophthalmiaophthalmiaHannibalPseudomonas aeruginosaAcanthamoeba spp.bacteria |
| spellingShingle | Justin T. Denholm Patrick N. Hunt Hannibal’s Ophthalmia—A New Answer to An Ancient Question Emerging Infectious Diseases Hannibal’s ophthalmia ophthalmia Hannibal Pseudomonas aeruginosa Acanthamoeba spp. bacteria |
| title | Hannibal’s Ophthalmia—A New Answer to An Ancient Question |
| title_full | Hannibal’s Ophthalmia—A New Answer to An Ancient Question |
| title_fullStr | Hannibal’s Ophthalmia—A New Answer to An Ancient Question |
| title_full_unstemmed | Hannibal’s Ophthalmia—A New Answer to An Ancient Question |
| title_short | Hannibal’s Ophthalmia—A New Answer to An Ancient Question |
| title_sort | hannibal s ophthalmia a new answer to an ancient question |
| topic | Hannibal’s ophthalmia ophthalmia Hannibal Pseudomonas aeruginosa Acanthamoeba spp. bacteria |
| url | https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/27/1/19-1696_article |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT justintdenholm hannibalsophthalmiaanewanswertoanancientquestion AT patricknhunt hannibalsophthalmiaanewanswertoanancientquestion |