Paratyphoid fever and relapsing fever in 1812 Napoleon's devastated army

AI interpretationAI-generated

Ancient DNA from Napoleon's retreating soldiers reveals paratyphoid and relapsing fever pathogens.

This study extracted ancient DNA from the teeth of 13 soldiers who died during Napoleon's 1812 retreat from Russia. The researchers identified Salmonella enterica Paratyphi C, causing paratyphoid fever, and Borrelia recurrentis, causing relapsing fever spread by body lice. Surprisingly, they did not find Rickettsia prowazekii or Bartonella quintana, which were previously thought to cause typhus and trench fever. These findings suggest that paratyphoid and relapsing fever, not just typhus, contributed to the army's devastation.

• Confirmed presence of Salmonella enterica Paratyphi C, the cause of paratyphoid fever.
• Detected Borrelia recurrentis, the agent of relapsing fever transmitted by body lice.
• No evidence of Rickettsia prowazekii or Bartonella quintana, challenging previous assumptions.

Sample interpretation

The study analyzed 13 soldiers, with 14 samples total. Y-chromosome haplogroups include R-FGC35835, G-L497, T-Y26649, R-Z29713, R-L51, N-Z1979, J-Z1884, and E-PF6748, showing diverse paternal lineages. Mitochondrial haplogroups include U4a2 (2 samples), T2b4g, H3k, HV9a1a, H5a1a, and H1b, indicating varied maternal origins. This genetic diversity reflects the multi-ethnic composition of Napoleon's Grande Armée.

For genealogy enthusiasts

For ancestry enthusiasts, this study shows how ancient DNA can uncover historical disease outbreaks. The diverse Y and mtDNA lineages highlight the genetic complexity of past armies, offering a glimpse into the lives and deaths of individuals from different backgrounds.