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Journal of Clinical Microbiology, December 2002, p. 4738-4740, Vol. 40, No. 12
0095-1137/02/$04.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/JCM.40.12.4738-4740.2002
Copyright © 2002, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Detection of Mycobacterial DNA in Andean Mummies

Department of Pathology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York University,¹ American Museum of Natural History, New York, New York²

Received 20 June 2002/ Returned for modification 18 July 2002/ Accepted 3 September 2002

The 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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