The first pandemic? Scientists find 214 causes of ancient diseases in DNA before date

The study showed, among other things, that the closest known evidence for animal diseases – diseases that are transmitted from animals to humans, such as Covid recently – dates back to about 6,500 years, as such diseases have become almost more prevalent 5,000 years. It is the largest study so far on the history of infectious diseases and has been just published in the scientific magazine nature.

The researchers analyzed the DNA from more than 1300 prehistoric individuals, some of them reach 37,000 years. Old bones and teeth provided a unique vision of the development of diseases caused by bacteria, viruses and parasites.

The results indicate that the close enthusiasts of human beings with domesticated animals-and the wide-ranging migrations of the Bonte Step-played a decisive role in the spread of these diseases.

“We have long suspected that moving to animal raising and animal raising opened the door to a new era of disease – DNA now shows us that it happened at least 6,500 years ago,” says Professor Eski Willelev. “These infections have not only caused the disease – may have contributed to population collapse, migration and genetic adaptation.”

The oldest impact on the world of plague

In the study, the researchers found 214 pathogens. The wonderful result is the oldest genetic tracking in the world of plague bacteria Esrena PastisIt was identified in a 5500 -year -old sample. It is estimated that the plague was killed between a quarter and a half and a half of the European population during the Middle Ages.

It can have traces on future vaccines

The results can be important to develop vaccines and understand how diseases arise and turn over time.

“If we understand what happened in the past, this can help us prepare for the future, as many newly emerging infectious diseases are expected to be created,” says Professor Martin Sicura, the first author of the study.

“The mutations that have succeeded in the past will appear. This knowledge is important for future vaccines, as it allows us to test whether the current vaccines provide adequate coverage or whether the development of mutations is needed due to the mutations,” adds Eske Willerslev.

The study has become possible through funding from the Lundbeck Foundation.