What's Happening?
Researchers have used DNA analysis to uncover the diseases that devastated Napoleon's army during its retreat from Moscow in 1812. The study, conducted by the Institut Pasteur, analyzed ancient DNA from the dental
remains of 13 soldiers found near Vilnius, Lithuania. The findings revealed the presence of Salmonella enterica, responsible for paratyphoid fever, and Borrelia recurrentis, which causes relapsing fever. These diseases thrived under poor sanitary conditions, contributing to the high mortality rate among Napoleon's troops. The study provides a clearer picture of the infectious diseases that afflicted the army, which historically were thought to be primarily typhus.
Why It's Important?
The study sheds light on the historical impact of infectious diseases on military campaigns, highlighting how microbes can be as deadly as traditional warfare. Understanding the diseases that affected Napoleon's army offers insights into the challenges faced by military forces in the past and underscores the importance of hygiene and disease prevention in modern military operations. The findings also contribute to the field of microbial paleogenomics, enhancing knowledge of historical disease prevalence and its effects on human populations.
