Tuberculosis Epidemiology and Selection in an Autochthonous Siberian Population from the 16th-19th Century

Abstract

Tuberculosis is one of most ancient diseases affecting human populations. Although numerous studies have tried to detect pathogenic DNA in ancient skeletons, the successful identification of ancient tuberculosis strains remains rare. Here, we describe a study of 140 ancient subjects inhumed in Yakutia (Eastern Siberia) during a tuberculosis outbreak, dating from the 16th–19th century. For a long time, Yakut populations had remained isolated from European populations, and it was not until the beginning of the 17th century that first contacts were made with European settlers. Subsequently, tuberculosis spread throughout Yakutia, and the evolution of tuberculosis frequencies can be tracked until the 19th century. This study took a multidisciplinary approach, examining historical and paleo-epidemiological data to understand the impact of tuberculosis on ancient Yakut population. In addition, molecular identification of the ancient tuberculosis strain was realized to elucidate the natural history and host-pathogen co-evolution of human tuberculosis that was present in this population. This was achieved by the molecular detection of the IS6110 sequence and SNP genotyping by the SNaPshot technique. Results demonstrated that the strain belongs to cluster PGG2-SCG-5, evocating a European origin. Our study suggests that the Yakut population may have been shaped by selection pressures, exerted by several illnesses, including tuberculosis, over several centuries. This confirms the validity and necessity of using a multidisciplinary approach to understand the natural history of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection and disease.

The genetic legacy of legendary and historical Siberian chieftains

“…Shamans were sometimes buried after that initial stage of degradation and the victims of epidemics were usually left in their homes. Despite this, both primary shamanic graves 33 and the graves victims of epidemics have been uncovered 8,9,34 . Early Yakut Christians were also buried, even before the Christianisation of most of the population in the nineteenth century.…”

“…Archaeological excavations in the Sakha Republic (Yakutia) in North-Eastern Siberia have recovered the remains of 78 men, 51 of which were subjected to genetic analyses in previous studies focused on biogeographic origins 3 or kinship between graves 4 – 6 using autosomal short tandem repeat (STR) and mitochondrial (HV1) data. Further studies of biogeographic origins also used Y-STR data 7 and finally fragments of the genomes of smallpox 8 and tuberculosis 9 were amplified from some of the same subjects. Anthropological expeditions in Yakutia collected biological samples for more than 200 men, some also subjected to genetic analyses (Y-STR typing) aimed at identifying relationships between the Yakuts and other Siberian populations 10 .…”

Impact of socio-economic traditions on current tobacco and tea addictions (Siberia 17th to 20th century)

“…Herbal teas were widely consumed as beverages and medicines for disease prevention and treatment but also for shamanic reasons as attested by the theobromine levels in female shamans. The use of green tea by women in the 18 th century also support this hypothesis, and the generalization of the use of tea follows the development of tuberculosis[28] for which green tea was used as a treatment, perhaps with some results[29]. In the 19 th century, tea had made the transition from a beverage used in medicine and spirituality-based socialization, to being used by elites with the tea ceremony led by women of fashion and means.…”

Palaeomicrobiology: Application of Ancient DNA Sequencing to Better Understand Bacterial Genome Evolution and Adaptation

“…Mycobacterium tuberculosis is one of the most prevalent pathogens in human history (Müller et al, 2014) and remains the second largest cause of infectious disease deaths even today (Ottini and Falchetti, 2010;Dabernat et al, 2014). Along with other genetically similar Mycobacterium species, collectively known as the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC), it is the predominant etiological agent in the development of tuberculosis (TB).…”