An ancient coronavirus from individuals in France, circa 16th century.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

At the time when the COVID-19 pandemic was responsible for more than six million deaths worldwide, the antiquity of coronaviruses remains undefined. We investigated individuals buried during the 16th century in France for the direct and paleoserological diagnosis of the coronavirus.

Methods

The 2011-2012 excavation of Abbey Saint-Pierre in Baume-Les-Messieurs, France uncovered 12 skeletons of individuals from the 13th to the 18th century. The total proteins extracted from dental pulps were subjected to microbial paleoserology, targeting SARS-CoV-2, human-associated coronavirus (HCoV)-229E, and OC43 antigens and for coronavirus peptide research using metaproteomics, in parallel to negative controls.

Results

Three peptide sequences totaling 36 amino acids ind

SUBMITTER: Oumarou Hama H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10014125 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature