Abstract:
Analysis of pathogen genome data sequenced from clinical and historical samples has
made it possible to perform phylogenetic analyses of sexually transmitted infections on a global
scale, and to estimate the diversity, distribution, and coevolutionary host relationships of these
pathogens, providing insights into pathogen emergence and disease prevention. Deep-sequenced
pathogen genomes from clinical studies and ancient samples yield estimates of within-host and
between-host evolutionary rates and provide data on changes in pathogen genomic stability and
evolutionary responses. Here we examine three groups of pathogens transmitted mainly through
sexual contact between modern humans to provide insight into ancient human behavior and history
with their pathogens. Exploring ancient pathogen genomic divergence and the ancient viral-host
parallel evolutionary histories will help us to reconstruct the origin of present-day geographical
distribution and diversity of clinical pathogen infections, and will hopefully allow us to foresee
possible environmentally induced pathogen evolutionary responses. Lastly, we emphasize that
ancient pathogen DNA research should be combined with modern clinical pathogen data, and be
equitable and provide advantages for all researchers worldwide, e.g., through shared data.
