title: Paleopathological evidence and detection of Mycobacterium leprae DNA from archaeological skeletal remains of Nabe-kaburi (head-covered with iron pots) burials in Japan.
abstract: The Nabe-kaburi is a unique burial method, the purpose of which is shrouded in mystery. The burials were performed during the 15(th) to 18(th) centuries in eastern Japan, and involved covering the heads of the deceased with iron pots or mortars. The identification of leprosy-specific osteological lesions among some of the excavated remains has led to the suggestion that Nabe-kaburi burials were a reflection of the social stigma against certain infectious diseases, such as leprosy, tuberculosis or syphilis. However, molecular evidence for the presence of disease has been lacking. The goal of this study was to detect Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae) DNA in archaeological human skeletal remains from Nabe-kaburi burials. The paleopathological data from three Nabe-kaburi burials were re-evaluated before small samples were taken from affected and control areas. DNA was extracted and used as a template to target the M. leprae-specific DNA using a combination of whole genome amplification, PCR analysis and DNA sequencing. M. leprae DNA fragments were detected in the two sets of skeletal remains that had also shown paleopathological evidence of leprosy. These findings provide definitive evidence that some of the Nabe-kaburi burials were performed for people affected by leprosy. Demonstration of the presence of M. leprae DNA, combined with archeological and anthropological examinations, will aid in solving the mystery of why Nabe-kaburi burials were performed in medieval Japan.
authors: Leprosy Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Koichi
authors: K
authors: Suzuki
authors: The University Museum, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan ; Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Aiko
authors: A
authors: Saso
authors: Department of Anatomy, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan.
authors: Keigo
authors: K
authors: Hoshino
authors: Faculty of Policy Management, Shobi University, Kawagoe, Japan.
authors: Junya
authors: J
authors: Sakurai
authors: Leprosy Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Kazunari
authors: K
authors: Tanigawa
authors: Leprosy Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Yuqian
authors: Y
authors: Luo
authors: Leprosy Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Yuko
authors: Y
authors: Ishido
authors: Leprosy Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Shuichi
authors: S
authors: Mori
authors: Department of Anatomy, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan.
authors: Kazuaki
authors: K
authors: Hirata
authors: Leprosy Research Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Norihisa
authors: N
authors: Ishii
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001106:Archaeology; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000382:microbiology*; D002048:Burial / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D007918:Leprosy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009166:Mycobacterium leprae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction