Ancient DNA reveals the deadly diseases behind Napoleon’s defeat
AI Summary
Scientists from the Institut Pasteur have discovered traces of pathogens causing paratyphoid fever and relapsing fever in the remains of French soldiers who retreated from Russia in 1812. The findings were initially shared as a preprint on bioRxiv on July 16, 2025, and later published in Current Biology on October 24. Researchers analyzed DNA samples from 13 soldiers exhumed in Vilnius, Lithuania, using next-generation sequencing technology to identify the pathogens Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica (serovar Paratyphi C) and Borrelia recurrentis. This study provides direct genetic evidence of these diseases among Napoleon's troops during their retreat from Russia, contributing to a better understanding of the health challenges faced by the soldiers.
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