Modern Mysteries
Scientists solve mystery of 'Typhoid Mary'
By
T.K. RandallAugust 18, 2013 ·
14 comments
Image Credit: NY Office of Records
In the early 1900s, Mary Mallon infected 51 people with typhoid despite not succumbing to it herself.
Known as Typhoid Mary, the exact nature of Mallon's condition has perplexed scientists due to the fact that she'd managed to infect so many people without showing any symptoms of the disease herself. Now researchers believe they have got to the bottom of the mystery in a new study that has revealed how the salmonella bacteria can hide in immune cells and "hack" the person's metabolism without them falling ill.
"To all outward appearances, she was perfectly healthy," said study co-author Dr. Denise Monack. Despite several attempts to evade the authorities, Mary eventually ended up being quarantined for a total of almost 30 years until her death in 1938.
How exactly was the Irish immigrant known as Typhoid Mary able to infect about 50 people in New York City in the early 1900s without succumbing to the illness herself? Scientists say they are now close to cracking the case.
Source:
Huffington Post |
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