DNA from Medici ribs supports malaria diagnosis
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Researchers from the Universities of Pisa and Yale examined the remains of Francesco I de’ Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany, and discovered DNA from the malaria parasites Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium malariae in his ribs. For centuries, speculation surrounded Francesco’s death in 1587, with some believing his brother, Ferdinando de’ Medici, poisoned him to seize power. Previous analyses of tissues found arsenic, suggesting poisoning, but later studies identified malaria proteins in Francesco’s bones.
This new study went further, directly seeking the parasites’ genetic material within four rib samples, three from Francesco and one from his brother Giovanni de’ Medici, who died from a fever in 1562. The team successfully recovered DNA fragments from both Plasmodium species in Francesco’s ribs, bolstering the theory that he died from malaria. They also found a unique strain of P. falciparum in Giovanni’s remains, offering insights into the spread of malaria across Europe during the Renaissance.
The findings align with medical descriptions of Francesco’s illness, intermittent fevers, and support earlier diagnoses of malaria. While the study did not examine the remains of Bianca Cappello, Francesco’s wife who died of similar symptoms, malaria remains a plausible explanation for her death as well. Despite the new evidence, Ferdinando de’ Medici remains a figure of suspicion due to his dynastic motives.
