Paratyphoid fever and relapsing fever in 1812 Napoleon's devastated army.

Rémi Barbieri, Julien Fumey, Helja Kabral, Christiana Lyn Scheib, Michel Signoli, Caroline Costedoat, Nicolás Rascovan

November 2025 Curr Biol

Synopsis of Social media discussions

Discussions include references to the DNA analysis of Napoleon's soldiers and its implications for understanding historical disease, with phrases like 'surprising epidemiological data' and 'pathogens responsible for the army’s decline' showing a respectful tone. The tone ranges from curiosity to recognition of the research’s significance, emphasizing historical health impacts and scientific advances.

A
Agreement
 Moderate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the significance of the research in revealing historical pathogen involvement, indicating general agreement on its importance.

I
Interest
 Moderate level of interest

Posts reflect moderate interest, showing curiosity about the historical and scientific implications without deep technical engagement.

E
Engagement
 Moderate level of engagement

Participants occasionally reference specific pathogens like Salmonella and Borrelia, suggesting some level of detailed interest, but overall engagement remains moderate.

I
Impact
 Moderate level of impact

The discussion recognizes the potential influence on understanding historical military failures, contributing to scientific and historical discourse similarly acknowledged as impactful but not revolutionary.

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Timeline: Posts about article

Top Social Media Posts

Posts referencing the article

Ancient Pathogens in Napoleon's 1812 Army Reveal Hidden Infectious Dangers

Ancient Pathogens in Napoleon's 1812 Army Reveal Hidden Infectious Dangers

Ancient DNA analysis of soldiers' teeth from Napoleon's 1812 retreat detected Salmonella enterica causing paratyphoid fever and Borrelia recurrentis causing relapsing fever, suggesting these infections significantly contributed to the high mortality during the campaign.

Microbial Paleogenomics Unit

October 31, 2025

923 views

Ancient pathogens in Napoleon's 1812 Retreat Revealed by DNA Analysis

Ancient pathogens in Napoleon's 1812 Retreat Revealed by DNA Analysis

Ancient DNA analysis of soldiers' teeth from Napoleon's 1812 retreat identified Salmonella enterica causing paratyphoid fever and Borrelia recurrentis causing relapsing fever, indicating these diseases contributed to the army's high mortality.

Microbial Paleogenomics Unit

October 24, 2025

195 views

Ancient DNA Reveals Diseases Killing Napoleon's Army in 1812

Ancient DNA Reveals Diseases Killing Napoleon's Army in 1812

Ancient DNA analysis of soldiers' teeth from Napoleon's 1812 retreat reveals that paratyphoid fever and relapsing fever significantly contributed to the army's high mortality, challenging previous assumptions about typhus as the primary cause.

Dr Naveen Thiyagu Bashingam

October 29, 2025

116 views

  • Ordo Fraterna Fibonacci
    @OrdoFibonacci (Twitter)

    Paratyphoid fever and relapsing fever in 1812 Napoleon's devastated army Cell Press https://t.co/oY4dp8qP5P
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    October 28, 2025

  • Ordo Fraterna Fibonacci
    @ordofibonacci.bsky.social (Bluesky)

    Paratyphoid fever and relapsing fever in 1812 Napoleon's devastated army Cell Press www.cell.com/current-biol...
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    October 28, 2025

  • ohmohm
    @ohmohm (Twitter)

    นักวิทย์ไขปริศนา "กองทัพนโปเลียน" พ่ายยับต่อรัสเซีย หลังพบ DNA โรคระบาด 200 ปีก่อน https://t.co/VsZLWlVjDP Paratyphoid fever and relapsing fever in 1812 Napoleon's devastated army DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2025.09.047
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    October 28, 2025

  • T
    @tyudev (Twitter)

    Paratyphoid fever and relapsing fever in 1812 Napoleon's devastated army: Current Biology https://t.co/U4qjvHi6Jd
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    October 27, 2025

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  • Ibrahim Khan
    @iakhan13.bsky.social (Bluesky)

    Paratyphoid fever and relapsing fever in 1812 Napoleon's devastated army: Current Biology www.cell.com/current-biol...
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    October 27, 2025

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  • Andy_Weeble_Weaver
    @AndrewW66619812 (Twitter)

    The paper in "Current Biology" the above "Nature" article is based upon, & links to: “Paratyphoid fever and relapsing fever in 1812 Napoleon's devastated army” via "Nature Briefing" 2/ https://t.co/rkJ4D0mlmW
    view full post

    October 27, 2025

  • Tizio Incognito
    @guy12incognito.bsky.social (Bluesky)

    Paratyphoid fever and relapsing fever in 1812 Napoleon's devastated army: Current Biology www.cell.com/current-biol...
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    October 26, 2025

  • Tizio Incognito
    @Guy12Incognito (Twitter)

    Paratyphoid fever and relapsing fever in 1812 Napoleon's devastated army: Current Biology https://t.co/RfVOPJ5tbD
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    October 26, 2025

  • Serge Létourneau
    @letourse.bsky.social (Bluesky)

    Paratyphoid fever and relapsing fever in 1812 Napoleon's devastated army: Current Biology www.cell.com/current-biol...
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    October 26, 2025

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  • Cam Walker
    @walks30.bsky.social (Bluesky)

    DNA from Napoleon's 1812 army identifies pathogens likely responsible for the army's demise during retreat from Russia Paper: Paratyphoid fever and relapsing fever in 1812 Napoleon's devastated army doi.org/10.1016/j.cu...
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    October 26, 2025

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  • Susan Gregurick
    @SGregurick (Twitter)

    Paratyphoid fever and relapsing fever in 1812 Napoleon's devastated army: Current Biology https://t.co/PYoheo23az. new meta genomics study reveal pathogens that contributed to the devastation of Napoleon's Grande Armée during its disastrous retreat from Russia in 1812.
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    October 26, 2025

  • Susan Gregurick
    @sgregurick.bsky.social (Bluesky)

    Paratyphoid fever and relapsing fever in 1812 Napoleon's devastated army: Current Biology www.cell.com/current-biol... new meta genomics study reveal pathogens that contributed to the devastation of Napoleon's Grande Armée during its disastrous retreat from Russia in 1812.
    view full post

    October 26, 2025

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  • Cam Walker
    @walks30.bsky.social (Bluesky)

    DNA from Napoleon’s ill-fated 1812 army reveals what likely led to the soldiers’ demise Paper: Paratyphoid fever and relapsing fever in 1812 Napoleon's devastated army doi.org/10.1016/j.cu...
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    October 26, 2025

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  • Pat O'Martin
    @PatOMartin9 (Twitter)

    Didier Raoult et Michel Drancourt cités dans cet article pour leur travail pionnier en paléogénomique : Paratyphoid fever and relapsing fever in 1812 Napoleon's devastated army, Rémi Barbieri et al. https://t.co/3iVLJlvI6Z @raoult_didier @Pr_Chabriere_E https://t.co/Ld9SVRiSiu
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    October 26, 2025

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  • Rosanita
    @rosanita.bsky.social (Bluesky)

    Just a little light Saturday night reading: Paratyphoid fever and relapsing fever in 1812 Napoleon's devastated army: Current Biology www.cell.com/current-biol...
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    October 25, 2025

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  • Eleusie
    @eleusie.bsky.social (Bluesky)

    La chansons s'appelle " la mémoire des dents". Ça parle de la retraite de Russie, et des maladies qui ont décimé la Grande Armée. youtu.be/Grw_11bwzNk?... " Les scientifiques de l'unité de Paléogénomique microbienne de l'Institut Pasteur souhaitent rendre leurs recherches plus accessibles, "
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    October 25, 2025

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  • 狩野菜舞恵
    @karino_name (Twitter)

    RT @takatoh_life: ナポレオン軍50万人以上の遠征では疫病で30万人ほどが死亡したと言われていますが、その病原菌を特定。 兵士の歯のDNAからパラチフスと回帰熱を起こす2種類の細菌が特定されました。 Paratyphoid fever and relapsi…
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    October 25, 2025

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  • DSP
    @DonnaPence5 (Twitter)

    Paratyphoid fever and relapsing fever in 1812 Napoleon's devastated army: Current Biology https://t.co/CZOMYaXMm4
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    October 25, 2025

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  • 鶴木次郎：Tsuruki-Jiro
    @JiroTsuruki (Twitter)

    Paratyphoid fever and relapsing fever in 1812 Napoleon's devastated army: Current Biology https://t.co/4CNYWmtI1Q
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    October 25, 2025

  • sira
    @mefasiel (Twitter)

    RT @takatoh_life: ナポレオン軍50万人以上の遠征では疫病で30万人ほどが死亡したと言われていますが、その病原菌を特定。 兵士の歯のDNAからパラチフスと回帰熱を起こす2種類の細菌が特定されました。 Paratyphoid fever and relapsi…
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    October 25, 2025

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  • ふぅ
    @fuumiicha (Twitter)

    RT @takatoh_life: ナポレオン軍50万人以上の遠征では疫病で30万人ほどが死亡したと言われていますが、その病原菌を特定。 兵士の歯のDNAからパラチフスと回帰熱を起こす2種類の細菌が特定されました。 Paratyphoid fever and relapsi…
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    October 25, 2025

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  • Abstream
    @abstreamme (Twitter)

    Paratyphoid fever and relapsing fever in 1812 Napoleon's devastated army #science #publication #research #publications https://t.co/YuHx6gNzuJ
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    October 25, 2025

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  • たむねこ
    @akiratamcat (Twitter)

    RT @takatoh_life: ナポレオン軍50万人以上の遠征では疫病で30万人ほどが死亡したと言われていますが、その病原菌を特定。 兵士の歯のDNAからパラチフスと回帰熱を起こす2種類の細菌が特定されました。 Paratyphoid fever and relapsi…
    view full post

    October 25, 2025

    13

  • みずき
    @mizuki_mizu2020 (Twitter)

    RT @takatoh_life: ナポレオン軍50万人以上の遠征では疫病で30万人ほどが死亡したと言われていますが、その病原菌を特定。 兵士の歯のDNAからパラチフスと回帰熱を起こす2種類の細菌が特定されました。 Paratyphoid fever and relapsi…
    view full post

    October 25, 2025

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  • ばけしち【見届済】
    @nin3bake7 (Twitter)

    RT @takatoh_life: ナポレオン軍50万人以上の遠征では疫病で30万人ほどが死亡したと言われていますが、その病原菌を特定。 兵士の歯のDNAからパラチフスと回帰熱を起こす2種類の細菌が特定されました。 Paratyphoid fever and relapsi…
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    October 25, 2025

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  • 津巳 石編陣
    @c5ksUsLtwq11999 (Twitter)

    RT @takatoh_life: ナポレオン軍50万人以上の遠征では疫病で30万人ほどが死亡したと言われていますが、その病原菌を特定。 兵士の歯のDNAからパラチフスと回帰熱を起こす2種類の細菌が特定されました。 Paratyphoid fever and relapsi…
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    October 25, 2025

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  • 海月亭浮遊彦
    @floatjelly7731 (Twitter)

    RT @takatoh_life: ナポレオン軍50万人以上の遠征では疫病で30万人ほどが死亡したと言われていますが、その病原菌を特定。 兵士の歯のDNAからパラチフスと回帰熱を起こす2種類の細菌が特定されました。 Paratyphoid fever and relapsi…
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    October 25, 2025

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  • チル
    @arigatou0815 (Twitter)

    RT @takatoh_life: ナポレオン軍50万人以上の遠征では疫病で30万人ほどが死亡したと言われていますが、その病原菌を特定。 兵士の歯のDNAからパラチフスと回帰熱を起こす2種類の細菌が特定されました。 Paratyphoid fever and relapsi…
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    October 25, 2025

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  • 狐夏
    @konats_showsets (Twitter)

    RT @takatoh_life: ナポレオン軍50万人以上の遠征では疫病で30万人ほどが死亡したと言われていますが、その病原菌を特定。 兵士の歯のDNAからパラチフスと回帰熱を起こす2種類の細菌が特定されました。 Paratyphoid fever and relapsi…
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    October 25, 2025

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  • Lemnos Philoctetes
    @5Apostate2 (Twitter)

    Today’s interesting read, “Paratyphoid fever and relapsing fever in 1812 Napoleon's devastated army” https://t.co/hCFWiB0ofR
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    October 25, 2025

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  • メイコ@雑多垢
    @Vc3qzFCb654tFIs (Twitter)

    RT @takatoh_life: ナポレオン軍50万人以上の遠征では疫病で30万人ほどが死亡したと言われていますが、その病原菌を特定。 兵士の歯のDNAからパラチフスと回帰熱を起こす2種類の細菌が特定されました。 Paratyphoid fever and relapsi…
    view full post

    October 25, 2025

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  • @bxFLgfubBCvHa5B (Twitter)

    RT @takatoh_life: ナポレオン軍50万人以上の遠征では疫病で30万人ほどが死亡したと言われていますが、その病原菌を特定。 兵士の歯のDNAからパラチフスと回帰熱を起こす2種類の細菌が特定されました。 Paratyphoid fever and relapsi…
    view full post

    October 24, 2025

    13

  • 大芝鉄蔵
    @Diesirae41 (Twitter)

    RT @takatoh_life: ナポレオン軍50万人以上の遠征では疫病で30万人ほどが死亡したと言われていますが、その病原菌を特定。 兵士の歯のDNAからパラチフスと回帰熱を起こす2種類の細菌が特定されました。 Paratyphoid fever and relapsi…
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    October 24, 2025

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  • 高遠 頼@生命科学VTuber(たかとー らい) 定期科学ニュース配信(日)
    @takatoh_life (Twitter)

    ナポレオン軍50万人以上の遠征では疫病で30万人ほどが死亡したと言われていますが、その病原菌を特定。 兵士の歯のDNAからパラチフスと回帰熱を起こす2種類の細菌が特定されました。 Paratyphoid fever and relapsing fever in 1812 Napoleon's devastated army https://t.co/mQSPLhBu7e https://t.co/5lXDWi9leH
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    October 24, 2025

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  • Theory of the Dog
    @TheoryoftheDog (Twitter)

    Paratyphoid fever and relapsing fever in 1812 Napoleon's devastated army: Current Biology https://t.co/KHFkhTaOml
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    October 24, 2025

  • 新しい天使
    @neostenshi (Twitter)

    【ナポレオンのロシア遠征】パラチフスと回帰熱に敗れたナポレオン軍。病原はチフスと考えられてきましたが、兵士の遺体から抽出したDNA解析でパラチフスと回帰熱の蔓延だったことが判明
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    October 24, 2025

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  • matiere*
    @matiere (Twitter)

    Paratyphoid fever and relapsing fever in 1812 Napoleon's devastated army: Current Biology https://t.co/JMH6GU3lhx
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    October 24, 2025

  • Ramon Diaz
    @CV33_CAG (Twitter)

    @CuadernodeLuis El artículo original, aunque releva datos sorprendentes desde el punto de vista epidemiológico, no nombra la palabra misterio ni una sola vez ("Paratyphoid Fever and Relapsing Fever in 1812 Napoleon's Devastated Army").
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    September 9, 2025

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  • Andy_Weeble_Weaver
    @AndrewW66619812 (Twitter)

    The preprint in "bioRxiv" the above "Scientific American" article is based upon, & links to: “Paratyphoid Fever and Relapsing Fever in 1812 Napoleon’s Devastated Army” 2/ https://t.co/YWjEjN5dkD
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    August 21, 2025

  • WinAlly
    @WinAlly_com (Twitter)

    Paratyphoid Fever and Relapsing Fever in 1812 #Napoleon 's Devastated Army #winally #dna #genetik https://t.co/0kaDUwSJmN
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    August 15, 2025

  • 青柳
    @FBWM8888 (Twitter)

    RT @OyatsuMaster: #考古学のおやつ 2/2 ▶ Rémi Barbieri
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    August 10, 2025

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  • おやつMaster（考古学のおやつ）
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    #考古学のおやつ 2/2 ▶ Rémi Barbieri
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    August 10, 2025

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  • おやつMaster（考古学のおやつ）
    @oyatsumaster.bsky.social (Bluesky)

    #考古学のおやつ 2/2 ▶ Rémi Barbieri
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    August 10, 2025

  • KirimiSakana/切身魚
    @Kirimisakana (Twitter)

    RT @shoemaker_levy: 1812年ナポレオンのモスクワ撤退時に軍隊内で流行した感染症は、従来言われていた発疹チフスや塹壕熱ではなく、パラチフスと回帰熱だった（13人の埋葬骨古DNA分析の結果）というプレプリント Paratyphoid Fever and Re…
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    August 9, 2025

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  • ryo694
    @ryo694 (Twitter)

    Paratyphoid Fever and Relapsing Fever in 1812 Napoleon’s Devastated Army https://t.co/TFsH2X53FX
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    August 8, 2025

  • BejaLab
    @bejalab.bsky.social (Bluesky)

    Paratyphoid Fever and Relapsing Fever in 1812 Napoleon’s Devastated Army www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
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    August 6, 2025

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  • ひよわなヤギ
    @hiyowana_yagi (Twitter)

    RT @shoemaker_levy: 1812年ナポレオンのモスクワ撤退時に軍隊内で流行した感染症は、従来言われていた発疹チフスや塹壕熱ではなく、パラチフスと回帰熱だった（13人の埋葬骨古DNA分析の結果）というプレプリント Paratyphoid Fever and Re…
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    August 4, 2025

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  • @shoemaker_levy (Twitter)

    1812年ナポレオンのモスクワ撤退時に軍隊内で流行した感染症は、従来言われていた発疹チフスや塹壕熱ではなく、パラチフスと回帰熱だった（13人の埋葬骨古DNA分析の結果）というプレプリント Paratyphoid Fever and Relapsing Fever in 1812 Napoleon’s Devastated Army https://t.co/0XpeFOpByQ
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    August 4, 2025

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  • Bloodsucking Parasites
    @bloodSparasites (Twitter)

    RT @bloodSparasites: Paratyphoid Fever and Relapsing Fever in 1812 Napoleon's Devastated Army https://t.co/EVBcKgMtN7 bioRxivpreprint https…
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    July 17, 2025

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  • Bloodsucking Parasites
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    Paratyphoid Fever and Relapsing Fever in 1812 Napoleon's Devastated Army bioRxivpreprint
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    July 17, 2025

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    RT @biorxiv_micrbio: Paratyphoid Fever and Relapsing Fever in 1812 Napoleon's Devastated Army https://t.co/D45plhLxva #biorxiv_micrbio
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    July 16, 2025

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  • Bloodsucking Parasites
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    Paratyphoid Fever and Relapsing Fever in 1812 Napoleon's Devastated Army https://t.co/EVBcKgMtN7 bioRxivpreprint https://t.co/gaxNDCTDY2
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    July 16, 2025

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  • Bloodsucking Parasites
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    Paratyphoid Fever and Relapsing Fever in 1812 Napoleon's Devastated Army bioRxivpreprint
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    July 16, 2025

  • bioRxiv Microbiology
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    Paratyphoid Fever and Relapsing Fever in 1812 Napoleon's Devastated Army https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.07.12.664512v1
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    July 16, 2025

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  • bioRxiv Microbiology
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    Paratyphoid Fever and Relapsing Fever in 1812 Napoleon's Devastated Army https://t.co/D45plhLxva #biorxiv_micrbio
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    July 16, 2025

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  • bioRxivpreprint
    @biorxivpreprint.bsky.social (Bluesky)

    Paratyphoid Fever and Relapsing Fever in 1812 Napoleon's Devastated Army https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.07.12.664512v1
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    July 16, 2025

Abstract Synopsis

  • Ancient DNA analysis of 13 soldiers' teeth from Napoleon's 1812 retreat revealed the presence of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica (causing paratyphoid fever) and Borrelia recurrentis (causing relapsing fever), indicating these infectious diseases contributed to the soldiers' deaths.
  • The study did not find evidence of other pathogens like Rickettsia prowazekii (typhus) and Bartonella quintana (trench fever) that were previously thought to be involved, based on PCR testing and historical symptoms.
  • These findings suggest that infections with paratyphoid fever and relapsing fever may have played a significant role in the high mortality rate among Napoleon's army during the 1812 retreat from Russia.