Detection of leprosy in ancient human skeletal remains by molecular identification of Mycobacterium leprae

We isolated ancient DNA from skeletal remains obtained from a South German ossuary (approximately 1400-1800 Ao) and from a 10th century Hungarian ceme tery partially indicating macromorphologic evidence of leprosy In samples t aken of 2 skulls from Germany and of 1 hard palate from Hungary: Mycobacter ium leprae-specific fragments of RLEP1 and RLEP3 were amplified using polym erase chain reaction (PCR), thereby confirming their specificity by sequenc ing. In another case, PCR with primers targeting IS6110 of Mycobacterium tu berculosis gave positive results only for a mandibular specimen. No signal for any mycobacterial DNA was observed in samples from 2 Hungarian foot bon es. In ancient material, osseous involvement of M leprae may be detected an d distinguished from of other mycobacterial infections by specific PCR. Ir? the small bones of leprous hands and feet, nor enough M leprae DNA seems t o be present for detection. This supports the view that rhinomaxillary lepr ous alterations result from direct bacterial involvement, while osseous mut ilations of hands and feet result from a nervous involvement and/or seconda ry infections due to small lacerations of the overlying soft tissues.