Hepatitis
B Virus DNA Found in 16th Century Mummy in Korea By
Liz Highleyman Hepatitis
B virus (HBV) infection is endemic in many countries in Asia. It is thought
that HBV has infected humans for centuries, but the precise timeline is uncertain. At
the 58th Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases
(AASLD) in Boston (November 2-6, 2007), an international team of researchers reported
evidence showing that hepatitis B was present in the 16th century A.D. The
researchers studied a naturally mummified child found in Korea and dated to the
16th century, based on carbon-14 analysis of cloth and the coffin. The mummy had
a well-preserved liver, which enabled testing for HBV DNA. Tissue
samples were withdrawn via laparoscopy and examined using conventional microscopy
and DNA extraction. The search for ancient HBV genetic material was undertaken
at 3 independent laboratories in Korea, the U.K., and Israel. HBV
pre-core, core, and DNA polymerase sequence were analyzed. HBV DNA was extracted
twice, using both commercially available and specialized kits. PCR amplification
and analysis of the HBV pre-core/core region was performed using the Roche HBV
Monitor kit. The Innogenetics HBV genotyping kit was used to analyze HBV polymerase
genetic sequences. Results ›
Researchers
at the 3 laboratories independently amplified and analyzed the following sequences:
• A 104 base-pair fragment from the HBV pre-core/core
region was amplified, and the genotype was determined by analysis of a 234 base-pair
sequence from the polymerase gene (Israeli team).
•
The genotype was determined to be C, and this was confirmed by amplifying
and sequencing a 239 base-pair fragment from the core gene (Korean team).
• A 98 base-pair fragment from the S (surface)
gene was also amplified (U.K. team).
›
In
a microscopic analysis, no hepatic or lymphoid cells could be identified, but
the overall organization of the tissue resembled the appearance of liver tissue.
›
The tissue architecture (demonstrated by staining) appeared normal overall, with
minimal fibrosis of the portal tracts and condensation of the sinusoidal walls.
›
The
mummified child appeared to have died of tuberculosis, based on identification
of Mycobacterium tuberculosis sequences in nodules removed from intra-abdominal
tissue.
Conclusion "Extraction
of DNA from a liver remnant of a 500 year old Korean mummy revealed evidence for
presence of intrahepatic HBV DNA," the researchers wrote in summary. "No
statement can be made regarding the stage of HBV infection in this child presumed
to be an HBsAg carrier." Liver
Unit, Hadassah Univ Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel; Kuwin Center, Hebrew Universiy,
Jerusalem, Israel; Virology, University College London NHS Trust, London, UK;
Pathology, Hadassah Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel; Anatomy and Radiology, Dankook
University College of Medicine, Chonan, South Korea; Anatomy, Seoul National University
College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea. 11/02/07 Reference
A
Klein, M Spigelman, P Grant, and others. Tracing Hepatitis B Virus DNA Back to
The 16th Century in a Korean Mummy. 58th Annual Meeting of the American Association
for the Study of Liver Diseases. Boston. November 2-6, 2007. Abstract 925. | 
