THE DETECTION OF ESCHERICHIA-COLI DNA IN THE ANCIENT REMAINS OF LINDOW MAN USING THE POLYMERASE CHAIN-REACTION

The polymerase chain reaction has been applied to the detection of Esc herichia coli DNA in the upper gut contents of Lindow Man, an Iron Age bog body dated to ca 300 BC. With sets of primers from the uidA and l acZ genes, E. coli DNA could be detected reproducibly. Initial attempt s at detecting DNA from freshly voided faeces from a healthy volunteer were unsuccessful due to inhibition of the reaction. Development of a method, based on guanidine thiocyanate and silica extraction and puri fication of the DNA fragments, facilitated the detection of the E. col i DNA in both freshly voided faeces and the upper gut contents of Lind ow Man. These findings indicate that it may be possible to study the e xistence of infectious diseases in ancient civilizations and to learn more about the evolution of microbes.