Examining pathogen DNA recovery across the remains of a 14th century Italian friar (Blessed Sante) infected with Brucella melitensis

OBJECTIVE: To investigate variation in ancient DNA recovery of Brucella melitensis, the causative agent of brucellosis, from multiple tissues belonging to one individual MATERIALS: 14 samples were analyzed from the mummified remains of the Blessed Sante, a 14 ^th century Franciscan friar from central Italy, with macroscopic diagnosis of probable brucellosis. METHODS: Shotgun sequencing data from was examined to determine the presence of Brucella …