Unveiling the Secrets of Ancient Pathogens and Diseases

Ancient pathogens and diseases continue to fascinate scientists as they uncover new insights through disciplines like paleopathology, paleovirology, and molecular biology. Advanced techniques such as next-generation sequencing enable the analysis of ancient DNA samples, providing a window into the history of human-pathogen interactions and the impact of diseases on different societies.

One area of study is the 1918 influenza pandemic, also known as the ‘Spanish flu,’ which claimed the lives of approximately 50 million people worldwide. Previous research suggested that the disease had a higher mortality rate among young adults, but a recent study challenges this notion. Dr. Amanda Wissler and her team from McMaster University analyzed skeletal remains from individuals who died during and before the pandemic. By examining bone lesions, they found that frail or unhealthy individuals were more likely to succumb to the flu. This discovery paints a complex picture of life and death during the 1918 pandemic.

Another fascinating area of research is the genetic history of populations affected by colonization. Professor María del Carmen Ávila Arcos and her team in Mexico analyze ancient DNA and samples from Indigenous and Afro-Mexican peoples. By studying skeletal remains from mass graves dating back to the 16th century, they discovered that some African-born individuals carried viruses like hepatitis B and human parvovirus B19, challenging previous assumptions about disease origins in the Americas. This research sheds light on the negative impact of colonization on Indigenous and African populations.

The thawing of permafrost in Siberia has also revealed ancient viruses that have been trapped for thousands of years. Professor John-Michel Claverie from Aix-Marseille University School of Medicine has been studying samples from Siberian permafrost. As the permafrost thaws due to global warming, cellular microbes and viruses are released. Claverie’s research has shown that these ‘zombie’ viruses remain infectious. In a recent study, his team isolated 13 new viruses from ancient permafrost samples, some estimated to be over 48,000 years old. These viruses, belonging to different clades, have the ability to infect amoeba cells. The risk of these unknown viruses being released and infecting organisms increases with ongoing permafrost thawing and human activities in the Arctic.

As scientists continue to explore ancient pathogens and diseases, they uncover valuable lessons from the past. However, many mysteries still await unraveling. The fields of paleopathology, paleovirology, and molecular biology provide exciting avenues for further research, enhancing our understanding of human health, evolution, and the potential threats posed by ancient pathogens.