Tuberculosis and leprosy associated with historical human population movements in Europe and beyond – an overview based on mycobacterial ancient DNA
Context: Tuberculosis and leprosy are readily recognised in human remains due to their typical palaeopathology. Both Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and Mycobacterium leprae (ML) are obligate pathogens and have been detected in ancient human populations. Objective: To demonstrate historical tubercu...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2019-02-01
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| Series: | Annals of Human Biology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03014460.2019.1624822 |
| _version_ | 1797685590421929984 |
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| author | Helen D. Donoghue |
| author_facet | Helen D. Donoghue |
| author_sort | Helen D. Donoghue |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Context: Tuberculosis and leprosy are readily recognised in human remains due to their typical palaeopathology. Both Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and Mycobacterium leprae (ML) are obligate pathogens and have been detected in ancient human populations. Objective: To demonstrate historical tuberculosis and leprosy cases in Europe and beyond using molecular methods, as human populations are associated with different mycobacterial genotypes. Methods: MTB and ML ancient DNA (aDNA) has been detected by DNA amplification using PCR, or by whole genome sequencing. Mycobacterial cell wall lipids also provide specific markers for identification. Results: In 18th century Hungary, the European indigenous MTB genotype 4 strains have been found. However, many individuals were co-infected with up to three MTB sub-genotypes. In 8th–14th century Europe significant differences in ML genotypes were found between northwest Europe compared with central, southern, or eastern Europe. In addition, several co-infections of MTB and ML were detected in historical samples. Conclusion: Both MTB and ML strain types differ between geographically separate populations. This is associated with ancient human migration after an evolutionary bottleneck and clonal expansion. The absence of indigenous leprosy in Europe today may be due to the greater mortality of tuberculosis in individuals who are co-infected with both organisms. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T00:46:22Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b93c86c7019949e8a4a28de6cf7ad6ea |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0301-4460 1464-5033 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T00:46:22Z |
| publishDate | 2019-02-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Annals of Human Biology |
| spelling | doaj.art-b93c86c7019949e8a4a28de6cf7ad6ea2023-09-14T15:36:11ZengTaylor & Francis GroupAnnals of Human Biology0301-44601464-50332019-02-0146212012810.1080/03014460.2019.16248221624822Tuberculosis and leprosy associated with historical human population movements in Europe and beyond – an overview based on mycobacterial ancient DNAHelen D. Donoghue0University College London (UCL)Context: Tuberculosis and leprosy are readily recognised in human remains due to their typical palaeopathology. Both Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and Mycobacterium leprae (ML) are obligate pathogens and have been detected in ancient human populations. Objective: To demonstrate historical tuberculosis and leprosy cases in Europe and beyond using molecular methods, as human populations are associated with different mycobacterial genotypes. Methods: MTB and ML ancient DNA (aDNA) has been detected by DNA amplification using PCR, or by whole genome sequencing. Mycobacterial cell wall lipids also provide specific markers for identification. Results: In 18th century Hungary, the European indigenous MTB genotype 4 strains have been found. However, many individuals were co-infected with up to three MTB sub-genotypes. In 8th–14th century Europe significant differences in ML genotypes were found between northwest Europe compared with central, southern, or eastern Europe. In addition, several co-infections of MTB and ML were detected in historical samples. Conclusion: Both MTB and ML strain types differ between geographically separate populations. This is associated with ancient human migration after an evolutionary bottleneck and clonal expansion. The absence of indigenous leprosy in Europe today may be due to the greater mortality of tuberculosis in individuals who are co-infected with both organisms.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03014460.2019.1624822ancient dna (adna)genotypingmycobacterium lepraemycobacterium tuberculosis |
| spellingShingle | Helen D. Donoghue Tuberculosis and leprosy associated with historical human population movements in Europe and beyond – an overview based on mycobacterial ancient DNA Annals of Human Biology ancient dna (adna) genotyping mycobacterium leprae mycobacterium tuberculosis |
| title | Tuberculosis and leprosy associated with historical human population movements in Europe and beyond – an overview based on mycobacterial ancient DNA |
| title_full | Tuberculosis and leprosy associated with historical human population movements in Europe and beyond – an overview based on mycobacterial ancient DNA |
| title_fullStr | Tuberculosis and leprosy associated with historical human population movements in Europe and beyond – an overview based on mycobacterial ancient DNA |
| title_full_unstemmed | Tuberculosis and leprosy associated with historical human population movements in Europe and beyond – an overview based on mycobacterial ancient DNA |
| title_short | Tuberculosis and leprosy associated with historical human population movements in Europe and beyond – an overview based on mycobacterial ancient DNA |
| title_sort | tuberculosis and leprosy associated with historical human population movements in europe and beyond an overview based on mycobacterial ancient dna |
| topic | ancient dna (adna) genotyping mycobacterium leprae mycobacterium tuberculosis |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03014460.2019.1624822 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT helenddonoghue tuberculosisandleprosyassociatedwithhistoricalhumanpopulationmovementsineuropeandbeyondanoverviewbasedonmycobacterialancientdna |