Evolutionary changes in the genome of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and the human genome from 9000 years BP until modern times

The demonstration of Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA in ancient skeletons gives researchers an insight into its evolution. Findings of the last two decades sketched the biological relationships between the various species of tubercle bacilli, the time scale involved, their possible origin and dispersal. This paper includes the available evidence and on-going research. In the submerged Eastern Mediterranean Neolithic village of Atlit Yam (9000 BP), a human lineage of M. tuberculosis, defined by the TbD1 deletion in its genome, was demonstrated. An infected infant at the site provides an example of active tuberculosis in a human with a naïve immune system. Over 4000 years later tuberculosis was found in Jericho. Urbanization increases population density encouraging M. tuberculosis/human co-evolution. As susceptible humans die of tuberculosis, survivors develop genetic resistance to disease. Thus in 18th century Hungarian mummies from V ac, 65% were positive for tuberculosis yet a 95-year-old woman had clearly survived a childhood Ghon lesion. Whole genome studies are in progress, to detect changes over the millennia both in bacterial virulence and also host susceptibility/resistance genes that determine the NRAMP protein and Killer Cell Immunoglobulin-like Receptors (KIRs). This paper surveys present evidence and includes initial findings.The contribution made by our many collaborators, researchers and students is gratefully acknowledged. Special acknowledgement is due to Dr Angela Gernaey (deceased) who helped pioneer the early mycolic acid work on the bison bone

Cases of tuberculosis at 'Ain Ghazal, Jordan.

This study reports on three strongly suggestive cases of tuberculosis from the Neolithic village of 'Ain Ghazal in Jordan. These cases may, in the Old World, represent the earliest possible evidence of this disease, dating back to 9,250 BP before and /or during the period of animal and plant domestication. Our hypothesis is that the reported cases showing the presence of tuberculosis suggest that the 'Ain Ghazal inhabitants may have come in contact with diseased animals (cattle) by consumption of uncooked meat, unpasturized milk or contaminated vegetables by saliva, couching and sneezing of the cattle. The evidence of the presence of bovinae at the site provide further support to the fact that although complete domestication may not yet have been achieved, contact with these animals seems evident.Cette étude décrit trois cas fort probables de tuberculose provenant du village néolithique de 'Ain Ghazal en Jordanie. Ces cas peuvent être, dans l'Ancien Monde, les plus anciens témoins de cette maladie chez les humains, la faisant remonter à 9 250 B.P., période à laquelle prend peu à peu place la domestication des plantes et des animaux. L'hypothèse avancée est que ces cas de tuberculose suggéreraient que les habitants d"Ain Ghazal ont été contaminés par du bétail atteint par cette maladie, en consommant de la viande non cuite, du lait cru ou des légumes salis par la salive, la toux et l'éternuement des animaux. La présence de bovinae sur le site étant attestée - même si la domestication n 'est pas totalement achevée - ces cas montreraient que des contacts existaient entre humains et animaux.El-Najjar Mahmoud, Al-Shiyab Abdel Halim, Al-Sarie Issa. Cases of tuberculosis at 'Ain Ghazal, Jordan.. In: Paléorient, 1996, vol. 22, n°2. pp. 123-128