Molecular identification and characterization of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in ancient Egyptian mummies

Bibliographic Data

ID4657331
AuthorsAlbert Zink (0000-0002-1461-747X, München Klinik Bogenhausen), A R Zink, C Sola (0000-0003-4672-2140, Institut Pasteur de la Guadeloupe), Udo Reischl (0000-0002-7536-5018, Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene), Waltraud Grabner (München Klinik Bogenhausen), N Rastogi (0000-0002-7199-7747, Institut Pasteur de la Guadeloupe), Hans Wolf (0000-0003-3924-2149, Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene), Michael Nerlich (0000-0001-6562-1017, München Klinik Bogenhausen, corresponding author), A G Nerlich
Year2004
Volume14
Issue5
Pages404-413
Publication date2004-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Osteoarchaeology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1047-482X • E-ISSN: 1099-1212
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/oa.724
OpenAlexW2071324884
LanguageEN
Citations received7
References cited28

A considerable number of molecular studies have provided evidence for the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTB) DNA in ancient skeletal and mummified material. Moreover first studies on the differentiation of sub-types of the MTB (M. tuberculosis, M. bovis, M. africanum, M. microti, M. canettii) have successfully been performed on ancient tissue samples. In our present study we extend previous analyses and investigate bone and soft tissue samples from 118 ancient Egyptian mummies and skeletons from the Pre- to Early Dynastic site of Abydos and different tomb complexes in Thebes West, which were built and used between the Middle and New Kingdom until the Late Period (c. 2050-500 BC). The samples were tested for the presence of MTB DNA and further identified by spoligotyping. Twenty-six samples provided molecular evidence for the presence of ancient mycobacterial DNA by amplification of a 123 base pair fragment of the repetitive element IS6110. Out of the 26 positive samples, 12 provided a complete spoligotyping signature, which was compared to an international database. Ten further cases showed an incomplete, patchy hybridization pattern, while in four cases no spoligotyping signature could be obtained. Interestingly, they all show either a M. tuberculosis or M. africanum pattern, but none revealed a M. bovis specific pattern. In the material from a Middle Kingdom tomb (used exclusively between c. 2050-1650 BC) several samples revealed a M. africanum type specific spoligotyping signature, while samples from later periods provided patterns typical for M. tuberculosis. This study clearly shows that spoligotyping can be used for the characterization of members of the MTB in historic tissue samples. In addition, our results do not support the theory that M. tuberculosis originated from the M. bovis type. Copyright (c) 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Ancient DNA · Biology · DNA · DNA profiling · Evolutionary biology · Mycobacterium bovis · Mycobacterium tuberculosis · Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex · Pathology · Population · Tuberculosis · Medicine · Paleopathology and ancient diseases · Genetics