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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.
Plos One
|March 23, 2011
Summary
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.
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