Mad Cow Disease: Myths, Realities and Issues

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), commonly known as mad cow disease, is a progressive neurological pathology that affects cattle. The disease emerged in the 1980s, causing worldwide concern because of its potential transmission to humans through the consumption of contaminated products. BSE belongs to a group of neurodegenerative diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs). These … Read more

Tick-borne encephalitis: a potentially fatal disease

Tick-borne encephalitis is an inflammatory viral disease of the brain, transmitted mainly by the bite of infected ticks. This disease, which is often associated with specific geographical regions where ticks are present, presents symptoms that vary in severity, from mild headaches to serious neurological complications. What is the pathogen? Central European tick-borne encephalitis, caused by … Read more

Contagious ecthyma: A closer look at this viral skin infection

Contagious Ecthyma, also known as ORF, is a viral skin infection. It mainly affects sheep and goats, but can also be transmitted to humans. This disease, caused by the ORF virus belonging to the Poxviridae family, manifests itself through characteristic skin lesions. It can lead to complications in immunocompromised individuals. Understanding the symptoms, diagnostic methods … Read more

Alveolar echinococcosis: a little-known danger

Alveolar echinococcosis, a potentially fatal parasitic disease, is attracting increasing interest due to its complexity and rarity. Caused by the worm Echinococcus multilocularis, the condition mainly affects people living in close contact with reservoir hosts, such as foxes and dogs, in regions where the parasite is endemic. Although relatively rare, alveolar echinococcosis presents a diagnostic … Read more

Avian flu: a global health challenge to be overcome

Avian influenza, also known as bird flu, is an infectious viral disease that mainly affects birds, but can also be transmitted to humans and other mammals. The disease poses a significant risk to public health and the poultry industry, due to its highly contagious nature and ability to mutate rapidly. What is the infectious agent? … Read more

Cryptosporidiosis: Diving to the heart of an emerging infection

Cryptosporidiosis, a parasitic disease caused by the protozoan Cryptosporidium, is attracting increasing medical attention due to its growing prevalence and public health consequences. This microorganism, present in the environment and often transmitted through contaminated water, can infect humans and animals, causing a range of gastrointestinal symptoms from mild to severe. What is the infectious agent? … Read more

Cryptococcosis: Investigating an Underestimated Fungal Infection

Cryptococcosis is a potentially serious fungal infection caused by the Cryptococcus fungus. Although relatively rare in healthy individuals, it can become a serious problem in immunocompromised individuals, such as patients with HIV/AIDS or those on immunosuppressive therapy. Understanding the basic aspects of this disease, including its causes, symptoms and treatment options, is crucial for effective … Read more

Cowpox virus: Everything you need to know about cowpox

The Cowpox virus, also known as cowpox, belongs to the Poxviridae family and the Orthopoxvirus genus. Less well known than the human smallpox virus, Cowpox remains a subject of interest for public health professionals and virology researchers. The disease it causes is characterised by skin ulcers, redness and severe oedema, which may contain pus. Symptoms … Read more

Choriomeningitis: A little-known zoonosis of rodents

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM), also known as viral choriomeningitis, is a viral disease caused by a virus of the genus Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV). Although rare, this infection can have serious consequences for human health. What’s special about LCM is that it is often transmitted to humans by infected rodents. This makes it a zoonosis, i.e. … Read more

Decoding Campylobacteriosis: Everything you need to know

Campylobacteriosis is a major public health problem. It is one of the most frequently reported food-borne zoonoses in Europe. With an estimated incidence of around 842 cases per 100,000 inhabitants per year in France, these bacterial infections pose significant public health challenges. Although campylobacteriosis is not a notifiable disease in humans, clustered cases associated with … Read more

Brucellosis: a bacterial zoonosis at the human-animal interface

Brucellosis, a bacterial zoonosis of global importance, is attracting increasing interest due to its impact on public health, animal health and the economy. The disease is caused by bacteria of the genus Brucella. It can be transmitted directly or indirectly between animals and humans. This infection particularly affects domestic and wild ruminants, as well as … Read more

The emerging threat of aspergillosis

Fungal zoonoses are a growing threat to human health, with major implications for public health and veterinary medicine. Among these emerging pathologies, aspergillosis is of particular concern due to its virulence and transmissibility between animals and humans. What does the disease look like in animals? The epidemiology of aspergillosis reveals a significant prevalence in various … Read more

Zoonoses: Diseases transmitted from animals to humans

Zoonoses are a group of infectious diseases that can be transmitted between animals and humans. This complex phenomenon raises major challenges in terms of public health, epidemiological surveillance and health risk management. From avian influenza to rabies and brucellosis, these diseases can have serious consequences for human health, the economy and the environment. What is … Read more

Mycobacterium marinum: An emerging dermatological zoonosis

Mycobacterium marinum skin diseases represent a growing diagnostic and therapeutic challenge in the field of medical dermatology. This infection results from exposure to common mycobacteria found in aquatic environments. It is also recognised as a zoonosis. It often affects people in direct contact with infected animals or their environment. What does the disease look like … Read more

Understanding your cat’s behaviour

Cat behaviour is captivating. Mysterious, they intrigue ethologists and cat lovers alike. These small carnivores express a rich range of body and sound signals. They navigate their world in complex and subtle ways. Deciphering feline communication Communications in cats are based around the four usual sensory channels: acoustic, visual, olfactory and tactile. With a range … Read more

Understanding Tiger Syndrome: myths and realities

In the vast world of feline behaviour, certain disorders remain shrouded in mystery and conjecture, such as Tiger Syndrome in cats. This condition, which arouses both curiosity and concern among pet owners, manifests itself in sudden episodes of aggression that are often incomprehensible and difficult to predict. What is Tiger Syndrome? If your cat is … Read more

When distemper threatens our canine companions…

Canine distemper is often unknown to dog owners. It is a serious threat to canine health. This viral infection is most common in puppies and young dogs. However, it can affect dogs of any age. The CDV virus (Canine Distemper Virus) targets the respiratory, gastrointestinal and nervous systems. Symptoms vary from mild to fatal. Vaccination … Read more

Dermatophilosis in horses: what can be done?

Dermatophilosis, also known as streptothritic dermatitis, is a major concern in equine health. This skin condition is caused by the bacterium Dermatophilus congolensis. It manifests itself in characteristic lesions, often similar to scabs or dandruff. It mainly affects the back, neck and rump area of horses. The disease can be transmitted directly, through contact between … Read more

Ayurveda: age-old wisdom for balanced health

Ayurveda, an ancient science of life originating in India, transcends time to offer a holistic vision of health. Based on principles dating back thousands of years, this unique discipline encompasses physical, mental and spiritual well-being. The term “Ayurveda” itself combines the Sanskrit words “Ayur” (life) and “Veda” (knowledge). They reflect its very essence as the … Read more

Traditional Japanese medicine: from ancient practices to modern innovations

In 2002, Honso USA introduced its Kampo herbal formulations to healthcare professionals in the United States. These products have a long history of being prescribed by Japanese doctors over several decades. Researchers undertook clinical studies to evaluate the efficacy of Kampo herbal formulations. A study was conducted on Honso Sho-saiko-to (H09) to treat hepatitis C … Read more