Recovery of an 18th Century Rhinovirus Genome through Ancient RNA Isolation of Human Lungs

RNA viruses cause substantial global morbidity, yet their impact prior to the twentieth century remains obscured. While ancient DNA studies have transformed our understanding of past pathogens, ancient RNA (aRNA) isolation is largely restricted to exceptionally preserved samples. Here, we simultaneously recover aDNA and aRNA from non-formalin-fixed human lung specimens and reconstructed an 18th-century Human Rhinovirus (HRV) A genome--the oldest human RNA virus identified to date. The RNA is highly fragmented, with distinctive terminal misincorporations and coverage patterns consistent with double-stranded RNA. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that this historical HRV genome is an extinct lineage related to contemporary genotypes, providing a unique perspective on rhinovirus evolution. These findings demonstrate that centuries-old medical specimens can retain informative aRNA, expanding the temporal scope of paleovirology.