2500 Years of Human Betaherpesvirus 6A and 6B Evolution Revealed by Ancient DNA
Meriam Guellil, Lucy van Dorp, Lehti Saag, Owyn Beneker, Biancamaria Bonucci, Stefania Sasso, Tina Saupe, Anu Solnik, Helja Kabral, Raili Allmäe, Jessica S. Bates, Jenna M. Dittmar, Xiangyu Jack Ge, Sarah A. Inskip, Tõnno Jonuks, , Kristiina Tambets
This study analyzes ancient DNA to reveal the 2500-year evolutionary history of human betaherpesviruses 6A and 6B, showing established diversity by the 14th century and ancient integration into the human genome.
Science Advances · Jan 2, 2026Peer-reviewedEvolutionary Biology