• J. Clin. Microbiol. · Dec 2002

    Historical Article

    Detection of mycobacterial DNA in Andean mummies.

    • Nami Konomi, Eve Lebwohl, Ken Mowbray, Ian Tattersall, and David Zhang.
    • Department of Pathology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York 10021, USA.
    • J. Clin. Microbiol. 2002 Dec 1;40(12):4738-40.

    AbstractThe identification of genetic material from pathogenic organisms in ancient tissues provides a powerful tool for the study of certain infectious diseases in historic populations. We have obtained tissue samples from the genital areas of 12 mummies in the American Museum of Natural History collection in New York, N.Y. The mummies were excavated in the Andes Mountain region of South America, and radiocarbon dating estimates that the mummies date from A.D. 140 to 1200. DNAs were successfully extracted from all tissues and were suitable for PCR analysis. PCRs were carried out to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and mycobacteria other than M. tuberculosis (MOTB). M. tuberculosis complex was detected in 2 out of 12 samples, and MOTB were detected in 7 samples. This study confirmed the adequate preservation of genetic material in mummified tissues and the existence of mycobacteria, including M. tuberculosis, in historic populations in South America.

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