Beethoven’s genome, sequenced for first time, yields clues on cause of death

Ludwig van Beethoven, one of the greatest composers of all time, suffered from numerous health problems throughout his life, most notably by 1818, when he was nearly deaf. These issues have certainly affected his career and mental state. Via a letter addressed to his brother, his favorite doctor examines his body after his death to determine the cause of all his suffering.

Nearly two centuries after the composer’s death, scientists say they have sequenced his genome based on a preserved lock of hair. Analysis of the genome failed to pinpoint a definitive cause for Beethoven’s hearing loss and chronic digestive problems, according to a new paper published in Current Biology, but he did have liver disease. had numerous risk factors for hepatitis B infection. Researchers also found genetic evidence that somewhere along Beethoven’s paternal line, his ancestors had an extramarital affair.

Co-author Johannes Krause, an expert on ancient DNA at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Research, said: “We can’t say for sure what killed Beethoven, but at least there is a significant genetic risk and infection with the hepatitis B virus. We can confirm the existence of Anthropology. “We can also rule out some other plausible genetic causes.” The fully sequenced genome will be made public, making it accessible to other researchers for future research.

Beethoven began to lose his hearing in his mid-to-late twenties, especially experiencing ringing in the ears and loss of high frequencies. He claimed that the onset began with a seizure caused by a quarrel with a singer in 1798. By his mid-40s, he was functionally deaf and could compose music, He also suffered from chronic stomach ailments throughout his life, including persistent stomach pains and prolonged diarrhea. By 1821, the composer showed signs of liver disease, marked by his first of two severe bouts of jaundice.

By December 1826, Beethoven was very ill, suffering from a second episode of jaundice and swollen limbs, fever, edema, and difficulty breathing. His doctors performed several surgeries to remove excess fluid from the composer’s abdomen. Beethoven was mostly bedridden for the next few months, receiving visitors and showered with gifts and tributes as news of his illness spread. On March 24, 1827, he is said to have said to his visitors, “Plaudite, amici, comoedia finita est” (“Applause, my friends, the comedy is over”). Two days later he died. According to his close friend Anselm Huttenbrenner, who was present, a bolt of lightning and a loud crash of thunder briefly awakened Beethoven, who “opened his eyes, raised his right hand, clenched his fist and looked up for a few seconds… Not the next breath, no more heartbeats.”

Autopsy confirmed severe liver damage (evidence of cirrhosis) as the likely cause of death, with marked dilation of the auditory nerve. But what caused liver damage, deafness, or chronic stomach upset? , citing composers’ letters, diaries, and doctors’ notes as evidence, have debated possible causes for nearly two centuries. still appeared.

That’s where Tristan Begg and co-authors come in. Begg, a graduate student at Cambridge University studying genomics, was intrigued by Beethoven’s letter asking his doctor to identify the cause of his illness. In what is now known as the Heiligenstadt Testament, Beethoven wrote to his brothers that they were “suffering helplessly” from hearing loss. The only reason he didn’t commit suicide, he writes, was that he didn’t want to die “before he produced every piece he felt the urge to compose.” Beethoven finished by asking his favorite doctor, Johann Adam He Schmidt, to identify the cause of his illness and release the information. His will was written in 1802 and Schmidt died 18 years before Beethoven’s.

Toxicity analysis of hair samples claimed to be Beethoven’s has been done in the past, along with examination of skull fragments. and others.their first task was to authenticate 34 strands of hair traditionally attributed to Beethoven by tracing their origins and conducting DNA analysis. Focusing on rock, it finally took eight years.