JAKARTA - The long-standing rumor about poison in the Medici family finally got a scientific answer. Recent genetic analysis shows that two brothers from the influential family in Renaissance-era Italy died of malaria, not because of a poisoning scandal as was long believed.
Quoted from The Independent report, Monday, July 6, the findings came from DNA analysis of the remains of the skeletons of two Medici brothers from the 16th century. The study was published in the scientific journal iScience.
The results of the study showed that both were infected with the parasite that causes malaria. This finding also refuted the long-standing allegation that Francesco de Medici died of poisoning.
"Our study is a very good example of how advanced ancient DNA laboratory methods can be used to map the history of this deadly pathogen," said Serena Tucci, assistant professor of anthropology at Yale.
Ancient DNA is genetic material taken from the remains of past humans, animals, or organisms. In this case, scientists used it to trace the traces of the malaria parasite in the Medici bones.
Another Yale researcher, Adalgisa Caccone, said the study also provided important data for current and future malaria research. Malaria is still a deadly disease that attacks millions of people in various countries.
During the Renaissance, malaria was not a foreign disease in central Italy. The disease was still endemic in the region until the 20th century, before eradication campaigns successfully eliminated it from the region.
Historical records say Cardinal Giovanni de Medici died at the age of 19 after his family contracted malaria while traveling to the Tuscan coast in 1562. His mother, Eleonora of Toledo, and his sister, Garzia, also contracted the disease.
The coastal region of Tuscany was then known to have many swamps. Such areas are breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Mosquitoes can carry the parasites that cause malaria.
In 1587, Francesco de Medici and his wife, Bianca Cappello, visited the Medici family villa in Poggio. The villa was near a swampy rice field, an area also suitable for mosquitoes.
The couple died on consecutive days after suffering from a fever. The symptoms are consistent with malaria. However, their quick death sparked rumors that Francesco and Bianca were poisoned by Cardinal Ferdinando de Medici, Francesco's brother and rival.
"At that time, both were diagnosed with symptoms, such as fever, which is consistent with malaria," said one of the study's authors, Valentina Giuffra.
The Independent reported that scientists took DNA from four rib samples belonging to two Medici brothers. Both were buried in the Medici Chapel, a cemetery complex inside the Basilica of San Lorenzo, Florence, Italy.
Researchers found a new strain of Plasmodium falciparum in the bones of Giovanni de Medici. Plasmodium falciparum is the parasite that causes the deadliest type of malaria in humans.
In the remaining skeleton of Francesco de Medici, researchers found molecular traces of P. falciparum and P. malariae. P. malariae is another species of malaria parasite that can also infect humans.
The findings reinforce the conclusion that Francesco also died of malaria.
"This genetic analysis confirms the historical record and previous research. Now we can say with scientific certainty that malaria, not poison, killed Grand Duke Francesco de Medici," said Dr. Giuffra.
Traces of two parasite species on Francesco's body give clues that more than one type of malaria parasite likely spread in Europe at the time. However, researchers stressed that additional genetic evidence was still needed to confirm it.
Alexander Ochoa, one of the study's authors, said ancient DNA studies not only help explain the causes of death of past people. This kind of study can also help scientists understand how malaria parasites change and adapt over time.
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