Paleogenomic analysis of pathogenic bacteria in hunter-gatherers from Central Coast Patagonia, Argentina

Abstract

The Central-Northern Coast of Patagonia has been occupied by hunter-gatherers since at least the middle Holocene based on direct dating of human bones. The biogeographical and environmental conditions throughout this region would have provided abundance and diversification of the subsistence activity, influencing the hunter-gatherers’ health status. We screened teeth and bone samples from the Central-Northern Coast of Patagonia (6000-300 BP) individuals in search of ancient pathogens. We extracted aDNA, built sequencing libraries, and generated low-depth shotgun sequencing data. The resulting sequences were classified taxonomically by using complete bacterial, archaeal and viral genomes in the NCBI’s RefSeq database. We identified aDNA Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, which is a zoonotic pathogen that causes erythematous skin lesions known as erysipeloid.