Oldest Bubonic Plague Genome Decoded

Eurekalert ^ | June 8, 2018 | Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History

[SunkenCiv]

The strain identified by the researchers was recovered from individuals in a double burial in the Samara region of Russia, who both had the same strain of the bacterium at death... this strain is the oldest sequenced to date that contains the virulence factors considered characteristic of the bubonic plague, and is ancestral to the strains that caused the Justinian Plague, the Black Death and the 19th century plague epidemics in China... caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis... The disease continues to affect populations around the world today. Despite its historical and modern significance, the origin and age of the disease are not well understood. In particular, exactly when and where Y. pestis acquired the virulence profile that allows it to colonize and transmit through the flea vector has been unclear. Recent studies of ancient Y. pestis genomes identified its earliest known variants, dating to the Late Neolithic and Early Bronze Age, but these genomes did not show the genetic signatures thought to make the plague particularly efficient - namely, adaptation to survival in fleas, which act as the main vectors that transmit the disease to mammals. This study aimed to look at more Bronze Age Y. pestis genomes, in order to investigate when and where these important adaptations occurred. In the study, the researchers analyzed nine individuals from tombs at a site in Russia. Two of the individuals were determined to have been infected with Y. pestis at the time of their deaths. The two were buried together in a single grave and were dated to approximately 3,800 years old. Analysis of the human DNA showed that the individuals were likely from the Samara-region Srubnaya-culture, which matches with the archaeological evidence.

[SunkenCiv]

Double burial of the two plague victims in the Samara region, Russia. [Credit: V.V. Kondrashin and V.A. Tsybin; Spyrou et al. 2018. Analysis of 3,800-year-old Yersinia pestis genomes suggests Bronze Age origin for bubonic plague. Nature Communications]	Geographic location of the burial in the Samara region, Russia, marked by the green triangle. [Credit: Map produced by vectormaps.de. Spyrou et al. 2018. Analysis of 3,800-year-old Yersinia pestis genomes suggests Bronze Age origin for bubonic plague. Nature Communications]

[SunkenCiv]

Here's the one I couldn't use:

• Ancient Russian Black Death victims reveal plague spread 1,000 years earlier than previously thought [1800 BC]

These are some of our many fine related topics, drawn from the FRchives:

• Unusual climate during Roman times plunged Eurasia into hunger and disease [2018]
• Plague 'hiding in plain sight', warn scientists [2018]
• Maybe Rats Aren't to Blame for the Black Death [2018]
• DANCING WITH DEATH Plague is spreading because relatives are digging up their Black Death dead [2017]
• Old trees reveal Late Antique Little Ice Age (LALIA) around 1,500 years ago [2016]
• Did famine worsen the Black Death? [2016]
• Plague Infected Humans Much Earlier Than Previously Thought [2015]
• The Mutant Genes Behind the Black Death [2015]
• Victims of the Great Plague 'discovered' at Liverpool Street station [2015]
• Rats reprieved as giant gerbils are blamed for the Black Death [2015]
• Experts raise alarm as plague kills dozens in Madagascar [2015]
• Is Ebola the Same Virus as the Black Death? Historical Similarities are Striking [2014]
• Was Ebola Behind the Black Death? [2014]
• Could the Black Death Actually Have Been an Ebola-like Virus? [2014]
• New study sheds light on survivors of the Black Death [2014]
• Black Death skeletons unearthed by Crossrail project [2014]
• Black Death may have scuppered Roman Empire [2014]
• Plague decoded: Researchers link 2 of the most devastating pandemics in history [2014]
• Why Halley's Comet May Be Linked to Famine 1,500 Years Ago [2013]
• How The Bubonic Plague Actually Saved Europe In The 14th Century (Finance) [2013]
• Medieval plague victims unearthed in City of London square [2013]
• Comet smashes triggered ancient famine [ March 536 AD ] [2009]
• Black Death Targeted The Weak [2008]
• Medieval DNA, Modern Medicine (Lessons From The Black Death) [2007]
• Black Death Casts A genetic Shadow Over England [2007]
• An Empire's Epidemic (Justinian Plague) [2006]
• Europe's Chill Linked To Disease (Black Death Caused Little Ice Age?) [2006]
• Medieval Plague May Explain Resistance to HIV [2005]
• Global Warming and Global Cooling are as Old as the Black Plague [2005]
• Black Death Mutant Gene Resists AIDS, Say Scientists (Virus) [2005]
• Italian Skeletons Reveal Old World Diseases [2004]
• Infectious Pests [2003]
• The viruses are out there, and they are out to get us [2003]
• Black Death 'Was Not Plague' Say Experts [2002]

[SunkenCiv]

[BlackVeil]

I am always slightly scared of this type of research ... what if they reawaken a plague?

[null and void]

No problem. Agenda 21 will met its goal a little sooner than planned is all...

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

I remember that scientists found flu virus from the 1918 epidemic still alive in Eskimo graves in the Arctic. I I often wonder if some old disease will reappear this way.

[vetvetdoug]

Microbiologists have found viable anthrax in mummies and recently in cattle bones from the cattle drives in Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas from the 1870’s.