From the Archives: New findings shed light on the origin and evolution of these stubborn pathogens.
Around the world, more than 200 million people live with an infection from the hepatitis B virus, a pathogen that can reside in the human body for long stretches of time and cause serious complications, such as chronic liver disease. Despite its prevalence, little is known about the ancestral roots of the virus. New findings, published today in Nature, reveal some of the oldest samples of the virus to date—between 800 and 4,500 years old—and provide fresh insights into its origin and evolution.
To probe for signs of ancient outbreaks in individuals who occupied Eurasia from the Bronze Age to the medieval period, the researchers examined DNA extracted from the remains of 304 ancient humans. These samples, which spanned a range of more than 6,000 years, were from large collections of skeletons from two previous examinations of human genomes in this region.
So it came as a surprise when the team found that 25 individuals showed signs of a hepatitis B infection, and that of those, only 12 of the viral genomes, which were between 800 and 4,500 years old, were intact enough for further analysis. While these are some of the oldest hepatitis viruses identified in ancient human remains to date, it is not particularly surprising that people were infected with this pathogen over thousands of years, Mühlemann says.
The researchers also found that some of the ancient viral sequences came from regions not typically associated with their specific genotypes today. For example, some scientists have proposed, based on its modern-day distribution, that the hepatitis B genotype A originated in Africa and spread through the slave trade between the 16th and 19th centuries.
日本 最新ニュース, 日本 見出し
Similar News:他のニュース ソースから収集した、これに似たニュース記事を読むこともできます。
Polio virus found in New York wastewater, but no new cases - New York Amsterdam NewsThe polio virus was detected in wastewater samples from the suburban county near New York City where an unvaccinated adult recently contracted the life-threatening disease, but health officials said Tuesday they have not identified any additional cases.
続きを読む »
Virgin Galactic Is Building a New High-Tech Astronaut School in New MexicoThe campus will be used to train astronauts and civilians ahead of their spaceflight.
続きを読む »
New York health care workers could be eligible for up to $3K bonus under new programThe Health Care and Mental Hygiene Worker Bonus program includes $1.3 billion in funding.
続きを読む »
Provincial Liberal party rebrands with new logo and new approachSask. Liberal leader Jeff Walters wants his party to grow and for voters in the province to feel they have a party that represents them.
続きを読む »
Neil Gaiman discusses the new Netflix show, Sandman | New Scientist Weekly podcast, episode 130Why do we dream? 😴 There are many theories, but we wanted to hear from the Lord of Dreams Neil Gaiman rowhoop caught up with neilhimself ahead of the new Netflix_Sandman series. Listen on YouTube ▶️
続きを読む »
New Suzuki Swift Sport hot hatch to crown new supermini range in 2024Suzuki's UK bestseller warms up for the next act: we've scooped the new 2024 Swift, including news of a warmer Sport in the works 🚀
続きを読む »