Mycobacterium leprae diversity and population dynamics in medieval Europe from novel ancient genomes
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Mycobacterium_leprae_diversity_and_population_dynamics.pdf
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2.24 MB
Format
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Resource type
Journal article
Creator (person)
Pfrengle, Saskia
Neukamm, Judith
Schuenemann, Verena J
Sheridan, Alison J
Date published
October 5, 2021
Abstract
Hansen’s disease (leprosy), widespread in medieval Europe, is today mainly prevalent in tropical and subtropical regions with around 200,000 new cases reported annually. Despite its long history and appearance in historical records, its origins and past dissemination patterns are still widely unknown. Applying ancient DNA approaches to its major causative agent, Mycobacterium leprae, can significantly improve our understanding of the disease’s complex history. Previous studies have identified a high genetic continuity of the pathogen over the last 1500 years and the existence of at least four M. leprae lineages in some parts of Europe since the Early Medieval period.
Journal title
BMC Biology
Volume
19
Article number
220
Publisher
BioMed Central Ltd
eISSN
1741-7007
Date accepted
August 7, 2021
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Full text available via the official URL