Scientists say two overlooked infections added to Napoleon’s 1812 catastrophe. DNA from the teeth of 13 French soldiers in a Vilnius mass grave revealed Salmonella enterica and Borrelia recurrentis — not the typhus or trench fever bacteria long suspected. Published Oct. 24 in Current Biology, the study offers the first direct evidence that paratyphoid contributed, likely alongside louse-borne relapsing fever, cold, hunger, and exhaustion. Lice remains were found, but appear to have transmitted B. recurrentis. An outside geneticist welcomed the findings, saying epidemics are tightly bound to military history.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.