A study published on Wednesday in the journal Nature indicates that our mediaeval ancestors may have passed on the genes that once helped them survive the Black Death plague to us, only today these genes are making us more susceptible to certain diseases.&nbsp;

The study analysed the DNA of centuries-old skeletons and found the mutations that helped people survive the plague that swept through Europe and killed at least 200 million. However, these same mutations are linked to auto-immune diseases including, Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.&nbsp;

These diseases turn the immune system responsible for defending our body against disease and infections on us and start attacking the body’s own healthy tissues. “A hyperactive immune system may have been great in the past but in the environment today it might not be as helpful,” said Hendrik Poinar, an anthropology professor at McMaster University in Ontario and senior author of the study.&nbsp;

The Black Death was the single deadliest event recorded in human history, the plague had swept throughout Europe, the Middle East and northern Africa and wiped out up to 50% of the population in the 14th century. Researchers theorised that seismic events must have impacted human evolution. Therefore, this study shows how germs shape us over time, said the researchers.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/researchers-unravel-700-year-old-mystery-of-origins-of-deadly-pandemic-black-death-488611">Researchers unravel 700-year-old mystery of origins of deadly pandemic 'Black Death'</a>

“Our genome today is a reflection of our whole evolutionary history”, said Luis Barreiro, a senior author of the research in the context of our adaptability to different germs over time. He and his colleagues at the University of Chicago, McMaster University in Ontario and the Pasteur Institute in Paris studied the ancient DNA from at least 200 people from London and Denmark.&nbsp;

The samples of bones, particularly teeth chosen for this study, were from people who died over 100 years that stretched before, during, and after the Black Death. The samples were collected from East Smithfield plague pits in London which was used for mass burials in 1348 and 1349 as well as some others from Denmark.&nbsp;

The scientists were able to identify four genes which, depending on the variant either protected against or increased susceptibility to the bacteria that causes bubonic plague.&nbsp;

The results were confirmed using the plague bacterium, Yersinia pestis and samples of blood were taken from people which showed that the helpful mutations were more able to resist the infection than those without, said a media report.&nbsp; 
Therefore, if a person had the right mutation their likelihood of surviving the plague mostly spread by the bite of an infected flea, was 40% higher, said the study. Today those plague-resisting mutations are more common than they were before the Black Death.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/mass-black-death-graves-discovered-in-uk-281528#catastrophic-failure-281525">Mass 'black death' graves discovered in UK</a>

While past research has sought to examine the effect of the Black Death on the human genome, this study shows the significance the plague had on the evolution of the human immune system, said Barreiro. Furthermore, a unique aspect of this research, he added, was to focus on a narrow time window around the event.&nbsp;

However, the more recent Covid-19 pandemic will not leave a similar legacy on human evolution said, the senior author attributed this to the much lower death rate when compared to Black Death.&nbsp;

Additionally, Covid killed more elderly people who already had children or those who were past the point of having them, said Barreiro. Whereas evolution works through a person’s ability to reproduce and pass on the genes and since the bubonic plague killed so many across the age spectrum it had a huge impact, he added.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

A study published on Wednesday in the journal Nature indicates that our mediaeval ancestors may have passed on the genes that once helped them survive the Black Death plague to us, only today these genes are making us more susceptible to certain diseases.

A study published on Wednesday in the journal Nature indicates that our mediaeval ancestors may have passed on the genes that once helped them survive the Black Death plague to us, only today these genes are making us more susceptible to certain diseases. The study analysed the DNA of centuries-old skeletons and found the mutations that helped people survive the plague that swept through Europe and killed at least 200 million. However, these same mutations are linked to auto-immune diseases including, Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. These diseases turn the immune system responsible for defending our body against disease and infections on us and start attacking the body’s own healthy tissues. “A hyperactive immune system may have been great in the past but in the environment today it might not be as helpful,” said Hendrik Poinar, an anthropology professor at McMaster University in Ontario and senior author of the study. The Black Death was the single deadliest event recorded in human history, the plague had swept throughout Europe, the Middle East and northern Africa and wiped out up to 50% of the population in the 14th century. Researchers theorised that seismic events must have impacted human evolution. Therefore, this study shows how germs shape us over time, said the researchers. ALSO READ: Researchers unravel 700-year-old mystery of origins of deadly pandemic 'Black Death' “Our genome today is a reflection of our whole evolutionary history”, said Luis Barreiro, a senior author of the research in the context of our adaptability to different germs over time. He and his colleagues at the University of Chicago, McMaster University in Ontario and the Pasteur Institute in Paris studied the ancient DNA from at least 200 people from London and Denmark. The samples of bones, particularly teeth chosen for this study, were from people who died over 100 years that stretched before, during, and after the Black Death. The samples were collected from East Smithfield plague pits in London which was used for mass burials in 1348 and 1349 as well as some others from Denmark. The scientists were able to identify four genes which, depending on the variant either protected against or increased susceptibility to the bacteria that causes bubonic plague. The results were confirmed using the plague bacterium, Yersinia pestis and samples of blood were taken from people which showed that the helpful mutations were more able to resist the infection than those without, said a media report. Therefore, if a person had the right mutation their likelihood of surviving the plague mostly spread by the bite of an infected flea, was 40% higher, said the study. Today those plague-resisting mutations are more common than they were before the Black Death. ALSO READ: Mass 'black death' graves discovered in UK While past research has sought to examine the effect of the Black Death on the human genome, this study shows the significance the plague had on the evolution of the human immune system, said Barreiro. Furthermore, a unique aspect of this research, he added, was to focus on a narrow time window around the event. However, the more recent Covid-19 pandemic will not leave a similar legacy on human evolution said, the senior author attributed this to the much lower death rate when compared to Black Death. Additionally, Covid killed more elderly people who already had children or those who were past the point of having them, said Barreiro. Whereas evolution works through a person’s ability to reproduce and pass on the genes and since the bubonic plague killed so many across the age spectrum it had a huge impact, he added. (With inputs from agencies)

Study: How is Black Death still affecting health 700 years later?

In a series of uncanny events, a squirrel recently tested positive for the bubonic plague in the US town of Morrison in the state of Colorado. This marks the first such case in the area this year. The news was shared by the Jefferson County Public Health department.

Responsible for millions of deaths

The bubonic plague has made the rounds for centuries and has killed millions over the course of humanity. It triggered the deadliest pandemic in all of human history which left more than 50 million dead in Europe, in what was called the “Black Death” pandemic.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mongolian-teenager-dies-of-bubonic-plague-report-313439" hreflang="en">Mongolian teenager dies of bubonic plague: Report</a>

The health department has put out a warning saying humans need to up their guards, as the disease can infect animals and humans alike if precautions are not taken.&nbsp; Usually transmitted through fleas or infected animals, it can wreak havoc if it goes out of control. Even though much of the threat has been eliminated owing to the progress made in the field of medicine, the threat of the disease looms large.

When somebody develops the disease, it causes pain and swelling of one’s lymph nodes. Just like the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, it can cause fever, chills, and coughing.

The plague resurges every year

As per data from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the country records over a dozen cases of the plague every year, which was also responsible for two deaths in the state of Colorado in 2015.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/bubonic-plague-being-well-managed-in-china-not-high-risk-who-311353" hreflang="en">Bubonic plague being 'well managed' in China, not high risk: WHO</a>

Even though it had remained dormant over the last few years, this resurgence has created panic, given the dire situation globally owing to the coronavirus pandemic. The WHO has also warned of its re-emergence. On a yearly basic, it infects 1,000 to 2,000 people. But the organisation claims that this number is misleading, as many cases go unreported.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/bubonic-plague-yet-another-plague-originating-from-china-311196" hreflang="en">Bubonic plague: Yet another plague originating from China</a>

Just a week ago, on July 7, a case of bubonic plague was confirmed by China in the region called Inner Mongolia. Following this acknowledgement, a citywide warning was set out to prevent another epidemic. According to the local authorities, the warning is set to stay in place for the whole year.

The bubonic plague can be lethal if not treated on time. If it progresses to the stage of pneumonic plague, it can cause major lung damage, and may become fatal.

In a series of uncanny events, a squirrel recently tested positive for the bubonic plague in the US town of Morrison in the state of Colorado. This marks the first such case in the area this year.

In a series of uncanny events, a squirrel recently tested positive for the bubonic plague in the US town of Morrison in the state of Colorado. This marks the first such case in the area this year. The news was shared by the Jefferson County Public Health department. Responsible for millions of deaths The bubonic plague has made the rounds for centuries and has killed millions over the course of humanity. It triggered the deadliest pandemic in all of human history which left more than 50 million dead in Europe, in what was called the “Black Death” pandemic. Also read: Mongolian teenager dies of bubonic plague: Report The health department has put out a warning saying humans need to up their guards, as the disease can infect animals and humans alike if precautions are not taken. Usually transmitted through fleas or infected animals, it can wreak havoc if it goes out of control. Even though much of the threat has been eliminated owing to the progress made in the field of medicine, the threat of the disease looms large. When somebody develops the disease, it causes pain and swelling of one’s lymph nodes. Just like the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, it can cause fever, chills, and coughing. The plague resurges every year As per data from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the country records over a dozen cases of the plague every year, which was also responsible for two deaths in the state of Colorado in 2015. Also read: Bubonic plague being 'well managed' in China, not high risk: WHO Even though it had remained dormant over the last few years, this resurgence has created panic, given the dire situation globally owing to the coronavirus pandemic. The WHO has also warned of its re-emergence. On a yearly basic, it infects 1,000 to 2,000 people. But the organisation claims that this number is misleading, as many cases go unreported. Also read: Bubonic plague: Yet another plague originating from China Just a week ago, on July 7, a case of bubonic plague was confirmed by China in the region called Inner Mongolia. Following this acknowledgement, a citywide warning was set out to prevent another epidemic. According to the local authorities, the warning is set to stay in place for the whole year. The bubonic plague can be lethal if not treated on time. If it progresses to the stage of pneumonic plague, it can cause major lung damage, and may become fatal.

A squirrel in Colorado develops bubonic plague, authorities issue health warning

Mass 'black death' graves discovered in UK