A nontuberculous mycobacterium could solve the mystery of the lady from the Franciscan church in Basel, Switzerland
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Published:2023-02-07
Issue:1
Volume:21
Page:
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ISSN:1741-7007
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Container-title:BMC Biology
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language:en
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Short-container-title:BMC Biol
Author:
Sarhan Mohamed S.ORCID, Wurst Christina, Tzankov Alexandar, Bircher Andreas J., Wittig Holger, Briellmann Thomas, Augsburger Marc, Hotz Gerhard, Zink Albert, Maixner Frank
Abstract
Abstract
Background
In 1975, the mummified body of a female has been found in the Franciscan church in Basel, Switzerland. Molecular and genealogic analyses unveiled her identity as Anna Catharina Bischoff (ACB), a member of the upper class of post-reformed Basel, who died at the age of 68 years, in 1787. The reason behind her death is still a mystery, especially that toxicological analyses revealed high levels of mercury, a common treatment against infections at that time, in different body organs. The computed tomography (CT) and histological analysis showed bone lesions in the femurs, the rib cage, and the skull, which refers to a potential syphilis case.
Results
Although we could not detect any molecular signs of the syphilis-causing pathogen Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum, we realized high prevalence of a nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) species in brain tissue sample. The genome analysis of this NTM displayed richness of virulence genes and toxins, and similarity to other infectious NTM, known to infect immunocompromised patients. In addition, it displayed potential resistance to mercury compounds, which might indicate a selective advantage against the applied treatment. This suggests that ACB might have suffered from an atypical mycobacteriosis during her life, which could explain the mummy’s bone lesion and high mercury concentrations.
Conclusions
The study of this mummy exemplifies the importance of employing differential diagnostic approaches in paleopathological analysis, by combining classical anthropological, radiological, histological, and toxicological observations with molecular analysis. It represents a proof-of-concept for the discovery of not-yet-described ancient pathogens in well-preserved specimens, using de novo metagenomic assembly.
Funder
European Regional Development Fund Provincia autonoma di Bolzano - Alto Adige
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
Cell Biology,Developmental Biology,Plant Science,General Agricultural and Biological Sciences,General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology,Physiology,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics,Structural Biology,Biotechnology
Reference165 articles.
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