DNA Study Confirms 2 Medici Brothers Died of Malaria, Not Poison
Updated
Updated · VOI English · Jul 6
DNA Study Confirms 2 Medici Brothers Died of Malaria, Not Poison
3 articles · Updated · VOI English · Jul 6
Summary
Two 16th-century Medici brothers were confirmed to have died of malaria after researchers analyzed DNA from four rib samples buried in Florence's Medici Chapel.
The iScience study found Plasmodium falciparum in Cardinal Giovanni de Medici, 19, and both P. falciparum and P. malariae in Grand Duke Francesco de Medici, overturning a long-running poisoning theory.
Francesco's 1587 death after a fever had fueled claims that his rival brother Ferdinando poisoned him, but researchers said the genetic evidence now supports historical accounts of malaria.
The findings also suggest more than one malaria parasite may have circulated in Renaissance Europe, though the authors said more genetic evidence is needed to confirm that wider pattern.