Ancient DNA uncovers paratyphoid and relapsing fever among Napoleonic troops – News-Medical

Historical Pathogen Analysis and its Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

A paleogenomic analysis of soldiers from Napoleon’s 1812 Russian campaign provides new evidence on the infectious diseases that contributed to the army’s collapse. The study, conducted by the Institut Pasteur and partners, identifies two previously unsuspected pathogens. This historical research offers critical insights directly relevant to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), by enhancing our understanding of disease evolution, transmission, and the impact of environmental conditions on public health.

Methodology and Key Findings

Scientists analyzed ancient DNA extracted from the remains of 13 soldiers exhumed in Vilnius, Lithuania. Using next-generation sequencing, the research team identified the genetic signatures of multiple infectious agents. The findings provide the first genetic evidence for the presence of two specific pathogens in this historical context.

• Salmonella enterica (serovar Paratyphi C), the agent responsible for paratyphoid fever.
• Borrelia recurrentis, the louse-borne bacterium that causes relapsing fever.

These pathogens were identified in addition to previously confirmed agents of typhus and trench fever. While the small sample size precludes a definitive conclusion on mortality rates, the correlation between the pathogens’ symptoms and historical accounts suggests infectious diseases were a significant factor in the army’s defeat.

Alignment with SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

This research directly supports the objectives of SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all. By studying historical epidemics, scientists can better prepare for and combat modern infectious diseases, contributing to Target 3.3 (end the epidemics of communicable diseases).

1. Understanding Disease Evolution: Accessing the genomic data of historical pathogens provides a baseline for tracking how diseases evolve and spread over time, informing current surveillance and response strategies.
2. Informing Public Health: The study highlights how conditions of poor sanitation, hunger, and cold create a fertile ground for epidemics. This knowledge reinforces the importance of public health infrastructure and hygiene in preventing disease outbreaks today.
3. Addressing Neglected Diseases: The identification of louse-borne relapsing fever serves as a reminder of the persistent threat posed by vector-borne diseases, which continue to affect vulnerable populations globally.

Implications for SDG 11 and SDG 16

The conditions that led to the disease outbreaks in 1812 have strong parallels with challenges addressed by other SDGs.

• SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions): The report underscores how conflict and war create catastrophic public health crises. The collapse of Napoleon’s army due to disease, exhaustion, and harsh conditions illustrates the devastating human cost of conflict, reinforcing the principle that peace and stability are fundamental prerequisites for public health and well-being.
• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): The lack of sanitation and hygiene that plagued the retreating army is a historical analogue to challenges faced in modern high-density environments, such as refugee camps and underserved urban areas. The study highlights the critical link between sanitation infrastructure and disease prevention, a core component of creating healthy and sustainable communities.

Contribution to SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The success of this research exemplifies the collaborative approach championed by SDG 17. The project was a multi-stakeholder partnership that brought together expertise from several international institutions.

• Institut Pasteur (France)
• Laboratory of Biocultural Anthropology at Aix Marseille University (France)
• University of Tartu (Estonia)

This international scientific cooperation, which included the development of an innovative authentication workflow for highly degraded DNA, demonstrates the power of global partnerships in advancing scientific knowledge to address global health challenges.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The article’s core focus is on identifying historical pathogens (Salmonella enterica and Borrelia recurrentis) that caused infectious diseases. The research aims to use this historical knowledge to “better understand and tackle infectious diseases today,” directly aligning with the goal of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  The study relies heavily on scientific innovation and advanced technological infrastructure. The article mentions the use of “next-generation sequencing techniques” and the development of an “innovative authentication workflow” to analyze highly degraded ancient DNA. This highlights the role of scientific research and technological advancement, which are central to SDG 9.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The research described is a collaborative effort involving multiple institutions from different countries. The article states that scientists from the “Institut Pasteur’s Microbial Paleogenomics Unit, in collaboration with the Laboratory of Biocultural Anthropology at Aix Marseille University” and “scientists from the University of Tartu in Estonia” worked together. This international scientific partnership exemplifies the spirit of SDG 17.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  • Target 3.3: By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases.

    The article investigates communicable diseases such as paratyphoid fever, relapsing fever, typhus, and trench fever. The stated purpose of the research is to “understand how infectious diseases evolved, spread and disappeared over time” to gain “valuable insights to better understand and tackle infectious diseases today.” This directly contributes to the knowledge base required to combat communicable diseases as outlined in this target.

  • Target 3.d: Strengthen the capacity of all countries, in particular developing countries, for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks.

    By analyzing the “genomic data of the pathogens that circulated in historical populations,” the research helps in understanding disease evolution. This historical perspective is crucial for strengthening the global capacity to predict, manage, and reduce the risk of future outbreaks, which aligns with the goal of enhancing management of global health risks.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  • Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries… including… encouraging innovation.

    The study is a clear example of enhanced scientific research. The scientists developed an “innovative authentication workflow” and used “next-generation sequencing techniques” to overcome the challenges of working with ancient DNA. The article emphasizes the need for “methods capable of unambiguously identifying infectious agents from these weak signals,” showcasing a direct contribution to scientific innovation as called for in this target.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  • Target 17.6: Enhance North-South, South-South and triangular regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology and innovation.

    The project is explicitly described as a collaboration between French institutions (Institut Pasteur, Aix Marseille University) and an Estonian institution (University of Tartu). This international cooperation on a scientific project is a direct implementation of the partnerships encouraged by this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• For Target 3.3 (Combat communicable diseases):

  An implied indicator is the number and type of historical pathogens identified and genetically characterized. The article contributes to this by providing the “first genetic evidence of these two largely unsuspected infectious agents,” namely Salmonella enterica Paratyphi C and Borrelia recurrentis, adding to the knowledge base on historical diseases.

• For Target 3.d (Strengthen capacity for health risks):

  An implied indicator is the publication of research that provides insights into the evolution and spread of pathogens. The article itself, set to be published in the journal Current Biology, serves as a tangible output that strengthens the global knowledge base for managing health risks.

• For Target 9.5 (Enhance scientific research and innovation):

  An implied indicator is the development and application of new scientific methodologies. The article details the creation of an “innovative authentication workflow involving several steps, including a phylogeny-driven interpretive approach,” which is a specific, measurable advancement in scientific methodology.

• For Target 17.6 (International cooperation on science):

  An implied indicator is the number of international collaborative scientific studies published. The study itself, resulting from a partnership between researchers in France and Estonia, is a direct example and a measurable unit of such cooperation.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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