Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 3, 2026
High-throughput Detection of Respiratory Pathogens in Animal Specimens by Nanoscale PCR
Published on: November 28, 2016
High throughput, multiplexed pathogen detection authenticates plague waves in medieval Venice, Italy
Thi-Nguyen-Ny Tran1, Michel Signoli, Luigi Fozzati
1Unité de Recherche sur les Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes, UMR CNRS 6236 IRD 198, IFR48, Faculté de Médecine, Université de la Méditerranée, Marseille, France.
Background:
Historical records suggest that multiple burial sites from the 14th-16th centuries in Venice, Italy, were used during the Black Death and subsequent plague epidemics.
Methodology/Principal Findings:
High throughput, multiplexed real-time PCR detected DNA of seven highly transmissible pathogens in 173 dental pulp specimens collected from 46 graves. Bartonella quintana DNA was identified in five (2.9%) samples, including three from the 16th century and two from the 15th century, and Yersinia pestis DNA was detected in three (1.7%) samples, including two from the 14th century and one from the 16th century. Partial glpD gene sequencing indicated that the detected Y. pestis was the Orientalis biotype.
Conclusions:
These data document for the first time successive plague epidemics in the medieval European city where quarantine was first instituted in the 14th century.
Insights
DNA from plague-causing bacteria Yersinia pestis and Bartonella quintana was found in medieval Venetian graves. This study provides evidence of successive plague epidemics in Europe.
Area of Science:
- Paleomicrobiology
- Medieval History
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Historical records indicate multiple burial sites in 14th-16th century Venice were used during plague epidemics.
- Venice, Italy, was the first European city to institute quarantine measures in the 14th century.
Observation:
- Dental pulp DNA from 173 specimens in 46 graves was analyzed using high-throughput, multiplexed real-time PCR.
- DNA from seven highly transmissible pathogens was screened for.
Findings:
- DNA of Bartonella quintana was identified in 2.9% of samples (five specimens).
- DNA of Yersinia pestis was detected in 1.7% of samples (three specimens).
- Partial glpD gene sequencing identified the Yersinia pestis as the Orientalis biotype.
Implications:
- This research provides the first molecular evidence of successive plague epidemics in medieval Venice.
- The findings contribute to understanding plague's historical impact and the effectiveness of early quarantine measures.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Automated Microbial Diagnostics
01:25Rapid Identification of Pathogens