Recent research has suggested that the immunity to the Black Death that evolved in our ancestors as a response to the plague pandemics, which killed an estimated 75–200 million people in the 14th century, may have negative impacts on our health today. The Black Death, also known as the Bubonic Plague, was caused by the bacteria Yersinia pestis, and those who survived the disease likely developed immunity to the bacteria.
Scientists have found that certain genetic variations that provided protection against the plague in the past are now associated with an increased risk of autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. These genetic variations are also associated with a higher risk of allergies, asthma, and eczema, which suggests that the immune system that evolved to protect against the plague may now be overactive and more prone to attacking the body’s own cells.
Additionally, the immunity that evolved to protect against the plague may also make us more susceptible to other infectious diseases. For example, scientists have found that the same genetic variations that provide protection against the plague are also associated with an increased risk of tuberculosis, a bacterial infection that can cause severe lung damage.
The study also highlights that the immunity to the Black Death that evolved in our ancestors as a response to the plague pandemics may have negative impacts on our health today. It is important to note that more research is needed to fully understand the long-term effects of immunity to the Black Death on our health today. However, these findings highlight the complexity of the human immune system and the importance of understanding the long-term effects of historical events on our health.