An invasive Haemophilus influenzae serotype b infection in an Anglo-Saxon plague victim

Meriam Guellil (Corresponding author), Marcel Keller (Corresponding author), Jenna M. Dittmar, Sarah A. Inskip, Craig Cessford, Anu Solnik, Toomas Kivisild, Mait Metspalu, John E. Robb, Christiana L. Scheib (Corresponding author)

Publications: Contribution to journalArticlePeer Reviewed

Abstract

Background The human pathogen Haemophilus influenzae was the main cause of bacterial meningitis in children and a major cause of worldwide infant mortality before the introduction of a vaccine in the 1980s. Although the occurrence of serotype b (Hib), the most virulent type of H. influenzae, has since decreased, reports of infections with other serotypes and non-typeable strains are on the rise. While non-typeable strains have been studied in-depth, very little is known of the pathogen's evolutionary history, and no genomes dating prior to 1940 were available. Results We describe a Hib genome isolated from a 6-year-old Anglo-Saxon plague victim, from approximately 540 to 550 CE, Edix Hill, England, showing signs of invasive infection on its skeleton. We find that the genome clusters in phylogenetic division II with Hib strain NCTC8468, which also caused invasive disease. While the virulence profile of our genome was distinct, its genomic similarity to NCTC8468 points to mostly clonal evolution of the clade since the 6th century. We also reconstruct a partial Yersinia pestis genome, which is likely identical to a published first plague pandemic genome of Edix Hill. Conclusions Our study presents the earliest genomic evidence for H. influenzae, points to the potential presence of larger genomic diversity in the phylogenetic division II serotype b clade in the past, and allows the first insights into the evolutionary history of this major human pathogen. The identification of both plague and Hib opens questions on the effect of plague in immunocompromised individuals already affected by infectious diseases.
Original languageEnglish
Article number22
Number of pages27
JournalGenome Biology
Volume23
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 3 Feb 2022

Austrian Fields of Science 2012

  • 106014 Genomics

Keywords

  • Haemophilus influenzae
  • Yersinia pestis
  • Plague
  • aDNA
  • Ancient DNA
  • Microbial genomics
  • Osteology
  • Serotype b
  • Pathogen genomics
  • Paleogenomics
  • PLASMINOGEN-ACTIVATOR INHIBITOR-1
  • YERSINIA-PESTIS
  • SEPTIC ARTHRITIS
  • SUPEROXIDE-DISMUTASE
  • QUALITY-CONTROL
  • GENOMES REVEAL
  • BLACK-DEATH
  • CHILDREN
  • SEQUENCE
  • PREVALENCE

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'An invasive Haemophilus influenzae serotype b infection in an Anglo-Saxon plague victim'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this