Scientists have analyzed letters written by Vlad the Impaler in the 15th century. Traces of protein on the letters suggest he suffered from hemolacria, which causes blood to be present in tears. There are a wide variety of disorders that can cause blood tears, ranging from blood clotting issues to unusual menstruation. Analysis of the proteins found traces of a bacteria that causes plague, but this disease is not linked to blood tears. "To our reckoning, this is the first time such research has been carried out and has helped to bring to the limelight the health status of Vlad Dracula the Impaler," the authors said in the study.

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Persons: Vlad, Dracula, Vlad III, Vlad Drăculea, Pittalá, Maria Gaetana Giovanna Pittalà, Vincenzo Cunsolo, —, Vlad the, Alexandreea Alexandru, Bram Stoker, Stoker, Vlad Dracula Organizations: Service, University of Catania Locations: hemolacria, Wall, Silicon, Italy