This study analysed the genomes of 220 Salmonella Paratyphi C, Choleraesuis and Typhisuis genomes and compared them to a draft Paratyphi C genome from an 800-year-old skeleton found in Trondheim, Norway.

Salmonella enterica serovar Paratyphi C is the causative agent of enteric (paratyphoid) fever. In this study we sequenced 118 Para C Lineage strains from the historical, global collection in Institut Pastuer, thus significantly expanding the database of related modern genomes. Along with a draft Paratyphi C genome from an 800-year-old skeleton, we demonstrated that Paratyphi C is descended from the ancestors of swine pathogens, serovars Choleraesuis and Typhisuis, together forming the Para C Lineage.