The real Dracula cried tears of BLOOD: experts reveal how Vlad the Impaler – the inspiration for the fictional vampire – suffered from a rare condition that caused bloody tears

From Christopher Lee to Nicolas Cage, several actors have taken on the role of Count Dracula over the years.

Although the famous vampire is fictional, it is widely believed that he is based on a real Romanian prince known as Vlad the Impaler.

Now a study has revealed a bloody connection between the Romanian Prince and Count Dracula.

Experts from the University of Catania say Vlad the Impaler suffered from a rare condition that left him crying tears of blood.

Professor Vincenzo Cunsolo, who led the study, said: “He probably suffered, at least in the last years of his life, from a pathological condition called hemolacria, that is, he could shed tears mixed with blood.”

From Christopher Lee (pictured) to Nicolas Cage, several actors have taken on the role of Count Dracula over the years

Vlad, also known as Vlad Dracula, was the three-time ruler of Wallachian between 1448 and his death around 1477.

He was later the inspiration for Irish author Bram Stoker’s famous vampire count in his 1897 novel Dracula.

Now, more than 500 years after his death, scientists have extracted “historical biomolecules” from letters written by the infamous warlord.

The team extracted blood, sweat, fingerprints and saliva from a letter sent in May this year, exactly 125 years ago that Stoker’s Dracula was published.

The letter is dated August 4, 1475 and was written to the citizens of Sibiu by a man who describes himself in the text as the ‘prince of the Transalpine regions’.

He informed the inhabitants of the town that he would soon be living in their village.

At the bottom he signed his dreaded name: Vlad Dracula.

Analysis of proteins on the document indicates that Vlad may have suffered from hemolacria – a rare condition in which patients shed tears of blood.

The tears may have a red tint or appear as if they are made entirely of blood.

While the visual impact of hemolacria is powerful and can be very scary, it is not always a cause for concern.

Analysis of proteins on the document indicates that Vlad may have suffered from a condition called hemolacria

It is a symptom of many diseases and may indicate a tumor in the system that produces tears.

It can also be caused by conjunctivitis, environmental damage or injuries.

There are known cases of hemolacria caused by hormones in adult women.

Some researchers suggest that it is related to extreme stress or psychological distress.

Professor Cunsolo said: ‘Our proteomic data, while not considered exhaustive in themselves, may indicate that, according to some accounts, he probably suffered, at least in the last years of his life, from a pathological condition called haemolacria , that is, he could shed tears with blood shed.

‘Moreover, he probably also suffered from inflammatory processes of the airways and/or of the skin.

“In our opinion, this is the first time such research has been conducted and has contributed to highlighting the health condition of Vlad Dracula the Impaler.

“There’s no denying that more medieval people touched these documents, but it’s also plausible that the most prominent ancient proteins are related to Prince Vlad the Impaler, who wrote and signed these letters.”

The study is published in the journal ACS Analytical Chemistry.