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Ancient-pathogen genomics: coming of age?
1Department of Bacteriology, Animal Health & Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Addlestone, Surrey, United Kingdom adrian.whatmore@ahvla.gsi.gov.uk.
Mbio
|September 4, 2014
Summary
Ancient DNA analysis confirms the historical presence of Brucella, the bacterium causing brucellosis. This study reconstructs the full genome from a 14th-century skeleton, revealing its close relationship to modern strains.
Area of Science:
- Paleomicrobiology
- Genomics
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Background:
- Brucellosis is a historically significant zoonotic disease.
- Advances in next-generation sequencing enable ancient pathogen DNA analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To reconstruct the full genome of Brucella from a medieval sample.
- To analyze the evolutionary relationship between ancient and modern Brucella strains.
Main Methods:
- Shotgun metagenomics applied to DNA extracted from a 14th-century calcified nodule.
- Whole-genome sequencing and comparative genomic analysis.
Main Results:
- Successful reconstruction of a near-complete Brucella genome from medieval skeletal remains.
- Demonstrated close genetic relationship between the ancient isolate and contemporary Brucella strains from the western Mediterranean.
- Confirmed the long-term regional continuity of this bacterial lineage.
Conclusions:
- Shotgun metagenomics is a powerful tool for characterizing ancient pathogens.
- This study provides evidence for the historical persistence of Brucella lineages.
- Ancient pathogen genomics revolutionizes understanding of infectious disease evolution and spread.
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