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Researchers concluded that syphilis was carried from the New World to Europe after Columbus ' voyages.

The findings suggested Europeans could have carried the nonvenereal tropical bacteria home, where the organisms may have mutated into a more deadly form in the different conditions of Europe.

The disease was more frequently fatal than it is today.

Syphilis was a major killer in Europe during the Renaissance.

Between 1602 and 1796, the Dutch East India Company sent almost a million Europeans to work in Asia.

Ultimately, only less than one-third made their way back to Europe.

The majority died of diseases.

Disease killed more British soldiers in India than war.

Between 1736 and 1834 only some 10 % of East India Company's officers survived to take the final voyage home.