Organism migration in soils: Should we be so comfortable with diagnosing ancient infectious diseases?

Abstract

Studies of the ancient history of infectious diseases have been facilitated greatly by development of a succession of novel analytical methods. In particular, laboratory analytical methods that are based on high‐throughput ancient deoxyribonucleic acid sequencing have received considerable attention in this respect. Even so, significant environmental caveats remain. There are many means by which microbes move through soil, often fairly readily. Thus, the depositional component of the postmortem environment, especially with respect to unshielded animal or human remains, is a fertile arena for many microbes that can contaminate archaeological specimens well after deposition and decay of soft tissues. The huge number of pathogenic and nonpathologic genera and species clearly dictate renewed interest and research into the long‐term biological activities of soil‐covered remains. In a tuberculosis context, we focus on various depositional concerns and limitations, such as contamination prior to archaeological discovery (perhaps many years prior), various means of microorganism movement in soil, the influence of these factors on differential diagnosis, and real hazards for misinterpretation of investigational results.

The role of the social group work to protect student family groups from the risks of Corona virus

“…The huge number of pathogenic and nonpathologic genera and species clearly dictate renewed interest and research into the long-term biological activities of soil-covered remains. (Lawler, D.F., Tangredi, B.P., Widga, C.C. ,2020).…”

Zoonotic diseases: New directions in human–animal pathology

“…The seven papers in this special issue “Zoonotic diseases: New directions in human–animal pathology” cover a range of diseases caused by bacterial, viral, and parasitic pathogens, from case studies drawn from across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas (Beltrame et al, 2019; Bendrey et al, 2020; Boschin, 2020; Lawler et al, 2020; Ledger & Mitchell, 2019; Seetah et al, 2020; Wooding et al, 2019). They speak to the diversity of human–animal–environment interactions that shape disease emergence and transmission.…”

“…Focus should be placed on further developing understanding of the macroscopic pathological expression of these diseases in human and animal skeletons (Bendrey et al, 2020; Wooding et al, 2019; Priority 2 ). Differential diagnoses should also entertain the potential for multiple pathogens present ( Priority 3 ), and not just be guided by targeted assumptions, given their potential to contribute to disease in interacting ways (Lawler et al, 2020). Lawler et al (2020) further propose that soil microbiology should also be framed within consideration of differential diagnosis when discussing identifications of disease made by DNA analyses ( Priority 4 ).…”

“…Ancient DNA analyses in particular demonstrate the potential to explore the evolution of pathogens and also the ancient spatial networks that enabled disease transmission and spread (e.g., Bos et al, 2019; Hershkovitz et al, 2015; Marciniak & Poinar, 2018). A number of the papers in this special issue discuss the investigation of zoonotic pathogens through ancient DNA (Bendrey et al, 2020; Lawler et al, 2020; Ledger & Mitchell, 2019; Wooding et al, 2019). In a contribution to the interpretation of high‐throughput DNA sequencing of osteological samples and the discrimination of soil‐derived relatives of the pathogens of interest (Warinner et al, 2017), Lawler et al (2020) provide a detailed assessment of potential processes of post‐depositional microbial contamination.…”

“…A number of the papers in this special issue discuss the investigation of zoonotic pathogens through ancient DNA (Bendrey et al, 2020; Lawler et al, 2020; Ledger & Mitchell, 2019; Wooding et al, 2019). In a contribution to the interpretation of high‐throughput DNA sequencing of osteological samples and the discrimination of soil‐derived relatives of the pathogens of interest (Warinner et al, 2017), Lawler et al (2020) provide a detailed assessment of potential processes of post‐depositional microbial contamination. They discuss soil biology and microbial movement, with a particular focus on the identification of tuberculosis and soil‐related contamination.…”