Title: The Hidden Enemies that Felled Napoleon’s Army: A DNA Study Reveals Unknown Pathogens In an intriguing study published in Current Biology, scientists have uncovered the hidden enemies of Napoleon Bonaparte’s army – two unexpected pathogens that contributed to their devastating losses during the ill-fated Russian campaign. The discovery sheds new light on a historical mystery and offers valuable insights into the medical challenges faced by soldiers in the early 19th century. The study, led by Nicolás Rascovan of the Pasteur Institute in Paris, analyzed DNA samples from teeth extracted from the mass grave where nearly two to three thousand fallen soldiers were found in Vilnius, Lithuania back in 2001. The results revealed the presence of Treponema denticarpitae and Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. macedoniensis – bacteria that cause periodontal disease and dental caries respectively. These findings are significant because they suggest that these pathogens not only weakened the soldiers’ immune systems but also contributed to their overall suffering during the brutal march back from Russia. The harsh winter conditions, coupled with malnutrition and lack of proper medical care, created a perfect storm for these bacteria to thrive in the soldiers’ mouths, leading to widespread dental problems that would have further debilitated them. The implications of this discovery are far-reaching. It underscores the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene even under extreme conditions and highlights the need for better medical care for soldiers on the battlefield. Furthermore, it serves as a reminder of how vulnerable our ancestors were to diseases that we now consider relatively minor. From a historical perspective, this study adds another layer of complexity to Napoleon’s downfall. While his military strategies have been widely debated and criticized over the years, this new evidence suggests that he may not have been entirely responsible for the disastrous outcome of the Russian campaign after all. Instead, nature itself played a significant role in undermining his army’s strength and ultimately contributing to its demise. In conclusion, the discovery of Treponema denticarpitae and Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. macedoniensis in Napoleon’s soldiers offers valuable insights into the medical challenges faced by armies during wartime. It underscores the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene even under extreme conditions and highlights the need for better medical care for soldiers on the battlefield. As we continue to study history, it is essential that we remember not only the grand strategies but also the small details that can make all the difference in determining a nation’s fate.
Source: [Original Article](https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/10/24/nx-s1-5582719/napoleon-war-russia-pathogens-disease-1812)
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