中文摘要：

丝绸之路是指古代连接亚洲、非洲和欧洲的商业贸易和民族迁徙交流的大通道。它在物质贸易、民族融合和文化交流等方面给沿途国家带来繁荣发展机会的同时．也为传染病的传播创造了机会。研究表明，炭疽、麻风和鼠疫的古代传播与丝绸之路密切相关。比较基因组学分析为这些疾病沿丝绸之路传播提供了可靠的证据。这些研究不仅对理解传染病的历史传播有意义．而且也为传染病病原的起源与进化勾勒出了路线图，为科学防治奠定了基础。

英文摘要：

Silk Road is an ancient trade and volk migration route linking Asia, Africa and Europe. As it played key roles in material trades, national reconciliation and cul- tural exchanges between nations along this Road, it also provided opportunities for infectious diseases to transmit from one place to another one. Research showed that the spread of anthrax, leprosy and plague were closely associated with the Silk Road. Comparative genomics gave sound evidences for Silk Road-associated transmis- sion of these diseases. These studies provided not only understanding of historical spread of the infectious dis- eases, but also a roadmap of pathogens＇ evolution, lay- ing foundations for scientific prevention and control of the infectious diseases.