Pilot study of correlation of selected genetic factors with cribra orbitalia in individuals from a medieval population from Slovakia.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to investigate the potential genetic etiology of cribra orbitalia noted on human skeletal remains.

MATERIALS: We obtained and analyzed ancient DNA of 43 individuals with cribra orbitalia. The analyzed set represented medieval individuals from two cemeteries in western Slovakia, Castle Devín (11th-12th century AD) and Cífer-Pác (8th-9th century AD).

METHODS

We performed a sequence analysis of 5 variants in 3 genes associated with anemia (HBB, G6PD, PKLR), which are the most common pathogenic variants in present day of European populations, and one variant MCM6:c.1917 + 326 C>T (rs4988235) associated with lactose intolerance.

RESULTS

DNA variants associated with anemia were not found in the samples. The allele frequency of MCM6:c.1917 + 326 C was 0.875. This frequency is higher but not statistically significant in individuals displaying cribra orbitalia compared to individuals without the lesion.

SIGNIFICANCE: This study seeks to expand our knowledge of the etiology of cribra orbitalia by exploring the potential association between the lesion and the presence of alleles linked to hereditary anemias and lactose intolerance.

LIMITATIONS: A relatively small set of individuals were analyzed, so an unequivocal conclusion cannot be drawn. Hence, although it is unlikely, a genetic form of anemia caused by rare variants cannot be ruled out.

SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH: Genetic research based on larger sample sizes and in more diverse geographical regions.