Differential sampling for genetic analyses of Treponema pallidum and for radiocarbon dating in archaeological bone

IF 1.7 3区地球科学 Q3 PALEONTOLOGY

International Journal of Paleopathology Pub Date : 2026-03-01 Epub Date: 2025-12-02 DOI:10.1016/j.ijpp.2025.11.002

Karen Giffin , Ariane Weber , Justina Kozakaitė , Ronny Friedrich , Rimantas Jankauskas , Denise Kühnert , Kirsten I. Bos

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objective

Molecular recovery of T. pallidum DNA in dry bone poses methodological challenges. Here we evaluate recovery success from a molecularly confirmed co-infection with yaws (T. pallidum pertenue) and plague (Y. pestis).

Materials

Pulverised bone from three pathological anatomical elements from individual AGU007 excavated from Aguonų street, Vilnius, Lithuania was used for DNA analysis. Three additional anatomical elements from individual AGU007 were used to obtain radiocarbon dates.

Methods

High-throughput sequencing of bulk DNA content followed by computational analysis. DNA sequencing and genomic analysis following molecular enrichment for T. pallidum. Radiocarbon dating combined with computational molecular dating.

Results

T. pallidum and Y. pestis DNA were identified in a cranial fragment from individual AGU007. Radiocarbon dates from this individual combined with another narrowed the temporal range to the latter part of the 15th century at the 2-sigma level.

Conclusions

Detection of T. pallidum DNA in multiple skeletal elements from an individual confirmed to have an active yaws infection at time of death gave further insight into preferred sampling locations for molecular detection of treponemal infections. While the highest molecular recovery came from teeth, the parietal bone provided adequate recovery.

Significance

This research indicates that sampling for molecular analysis of T. pallidum infections should include (if available) one tooth and one lesion indicative of active infection at the time of death. Accommodating radiocarbon date probability distributions and Bayesian inference has the potential to increase molecular dating precision.

Limitations

T. pallidum DNA preservation is not predictable across the skeleton.

Suggestions for Further Research

We encourage ethical and minimalist sampling strategies for further research.

查看原文本刊更多论文

梅毒螺旋体遗传分析和考古骨骼放射性碳定年的差异取样。

目的：干骨中白僵菌DNA的分子恢复对方法学提出了挑战。在这里，我们评估分子确认的雅司病（雅司病）和鼠疫（鼠疫杆菌）合并感染的康复成功率。材料：从立陶宛维尔纽斯aguonio街出土的AGU007个体的三个病理解剖单元的粉碎骨用于DNA分析。另外三个来自AGU007个体的解剖元素被用来获得放射性碳测年。方法：对大量DNA含量进行高通量测序，然后进行计算分析。白桦尺蠖分子富集后的DNA测序和基因组分析。放射性碳测年与计算分子测年相结合。结果：在AGU007个体颅骨碎片中鉴定出苍白衣原体和鼠疫耶尔森菌DNA。这个人的放射性碳年代与另一个人的放射性碳年代结合起来，将时间范围缩小到15世纪后期的2西格玛水平。结论：在死亡时确认患有活动性雅司病感染的个体的多个骨骼部件中检测到苍白锥虫DNA，进一步了解了螺旋体感染分子检测的首选采样位置。虽然最高的分子恢复来自牙齿，但顶骨提供了足够的恢复。意义：本研究表明，白衣绦虫感染的分子分析取样应包括（如果有的话）死亡时一颗牙齿和一处指示活动性感染的病变。适应放射性碳定年概率分布和贝叶斯推理有可能提高分子定年精度。局限性：白衣绦虫的DNA保存在整个骨架上是不可预测的。进一步研究建议：我们鼓励道德和极简抽样策略进行进一步研究。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

International Journal of Paleopathology PALEONTOLOGY-PATHOLOGY

CiteScore

2.90

自引率

25.00%

发文量

期刊介绍： Paleopathology is the study and application of methods and techniques for investigating diseases and related conditions from skeletal and soft tissue remains. The International Journal of Paleopathology (IJPP) will publish original and significant articles on human and animal (including hominids) disease, based upon the study of physical remains, including osseous, dental, and preserved soft tissues at a range of methodological levels, from direct observation to molecular, chemical, histological and radiographic analysis. Discussion of ways in which these methods can be applied to the reconstruction of health, disease and life histories in the past is central to the discipline, so the journal would also encourage papers covering interpretive and theoretical issues, and those that place the study of disease at the centre of a bioarchaeological or biocultural approach. Papers dealing with historical evidence relating to disease in the past (rather than history of medicine) will also be published. The journal will also accept significant studies that applied previously developed techniques to new materials, setting the research in the context of current debates on past human and animal health.