Black Death may have fuelled rise in diabetes and arthritis, study says

Research is based on plague corpses in London and Denmark

The findings are based on 516 ancient DNA samples extracted from the teeth of individuals who died before, during or soon after outbreaks in London and Denmark (SWNS)

Diabetes, arthritis and multiple sclerosis can be traced back to the Black Death, according to new research.

The plague that ravaged Middle Age Europe fuelled genes that makes people vulnerable to autoimmune diseases.

It shaped human evolution by influencing responses against pathogens. Pandemics may continue to do so in the future – with implications for Covid-19.