Tuberculosis: from prehistory to Robert Koch, as revealed by ancient DNA

During the past 10 years palaeomicrobiology, a new scientific discipline, has developed. The study of ancient pathogens by direct detection of their DNA has answered several historical questions and shown changes to pathogens over time. However, ancient DNA (aDNA) continues to be controversial and g...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Lancet infectious diseases 2004-09, Vol.4 (9), p.584-592
Main Authors: Donoghue, Helen D, Spigelman, Mark, Greenblatt, Charles L, Lev-Maor, Galit, Kahila Bar-Gal, Gila, Matheson, Carney, Vernon, Kim, G Nerlich, Andreas, R Zink, Albert
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Biological Evolution
Cloning
Communicable Diseases - history
Communicable Diseases - microbiology
Data processing
Deoxyribonucleic acid
DNA
DNA, Bacterial - analysis
DNA, Bacterial - history
Epidemiology
Evolution
History, Ancient
Human remains
Humans
Infectious diseases
Laboratories
Mummies
Mycobacterium tuberculosis - genetics
Paleopathology
Pathogens
Pathology
Phylogenetics
Studies
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis - history
Tuberculosis - microbiology
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Summary:During the past 10 years palaeomicrobiology, a new scientific discipline, has developed. The study of ancient pathogens by direct detection of their DNA has answered several historical questions and shown changes to pathogens over time. However, ancient DNA (aDNA) continues to be controversial and great care is needed to provide valid data. Here we review the most successful application of the technology, which is the study of tuberculosis. This has provided direct support for the current theory of Mycobacterium tuberculosis evolution, and suggests areas of investigation for the interaction of M tuberculosis with its host.
ISSN:1473-3099
1474-4457
DOI:10.1016/S1473-3099(04)01133-8