Complications in the study of ancient tuberculosis: non-specificity of IS6110 PCRs. Issue 1 (7th January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Müller, Romy; Roberts, Charlotte A.; Brown, Terence A.
• Is Part Of: Science and technology of archaeological research. Volume 1:Issue 1(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-01-07
• Subjects: Ancient DNA, -- Britain, -- IS6110, -- Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, -- Roman period, -- Tuberculosis; Archaeology -- Methodology -- Periodicals; 930.10721
• DOI: 10.1179/2054892314Y.0000000002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2054-8923

Abstract

Abstract : The insertion sequence IS6110 is frequently used as a marker for the presence of ancient DNA (aDNA) derived from bacteria of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) in human archaeological remains. The specificity of polymerase chain reactions (PCRs) directed at IS6110 has, however, been questioned, because identical or similar elements have been identified in 'mycobacteria other than tuberculosis (MOTT)'. These are Mycobacterium species, common in the environment, which may occasionally cause opportunistic diseases and are not normally associated with clinical cases of tuberculosis (TB). We report the presence of two sequence types that are similar, but not identical, to IS6110 in bone samples from nine skeletons dated mainly to the Roman period, one from Scotland and the others from the remainder of Britain. The sources of these sequences cannot be established but they are most likely derived from environmental bacteria that have colonised the skeletons after death. The data presented support the notion that IS6110 may not be unique to the members of the MTBC and is, therefore, not suitable as a specific marker for the identification of TB in human remains.