50,000 years ago, three well-known current viruses already existed – papillomavirus, herpesvirus and adenovirus – in Neanderthals, because scientists found traces of them in human bones.
- Neanderthals were already infected with papillomavirus, herpesvirus and adenovirus, new work shows.
- To achieve this result, researchers analyzed the DNA present on the bones of a Neanderthal man who died 50,000 years ago.
- This work could help science understand the evolution of viruses and their possible role in the extinction of Neanderthals.
Herpesvirus, adenovirus, papillomavirus. Here are the three viruses that were already circulating under Neanderthals, according to a new studywhich has not yet been validated by its peers.
The papillomavirus and two other viruses already present 50,000 years ago
To achieve this result, scientists from the University of São Pauloin Brazil, analyzed the DNA present in the bones of a Neanderthal man whose remains were found in the Chagyrskaya cave, in Russia, and who died 50,000 years ago.
Results of the analysis: they identified three viruses. The first is adenovirus. According to MSD Manualan infection due to an adenovirus can be characterized by respiratory disease, conjunctivitis, gastroenteritis, cystitis or even primary pneumonia.
Next, researchers identified the herpesvirus. Still according to the MSD Manual, there are eight different types of herpesvirus that can infect modern humans. The most common – herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, as well as varicella-zoster virus – manifest as infections of the skin or mucous membranes.
Finally, the papillomavirus is the last virus that researchers found in Neanderthals. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), human papillomaviruses (HPV) include 200 viruses that can cause genital warts or develop into cancer, particularly that of the cervix.
Not exactly the same viruses as modern humans
But are we sure that these viruses really infected Neanderthals? Yes, say the scientists. The DNA signature that they found on the bones shows that these viruses infected him 50,000 years ago, when the individual was alive, and not afterwards.
However, Neanderthals may not have suffered from the same diseases as us. Indeed, scientists emphasize that the genetic sequence of these viruses is not exactly the same as that of those currently circulating. In other words, viruses are similar but not identical.
Ultimately, these discoveries could help researchers better understand the evolution of viruses and those that may have been responsible for the extinction of Neanderthals.
