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

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

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

Anthrax under a scientific microscope

Anthrax is a serious bacterial infection caused by Bacillus anthracis. This pathogen affects both humans and animals. In the past, it has caused devastating epidemics among animal industry workers, farmers and soldiers. Despite its rarity in developed countries thanks to prevention and control measures, anthrax is still a public health issue in many regions, particularly … Read more

Dulcolax, Movicol … do laxatives make you lose weight faster?

The idea that laxatives can help you lose weight is a widely held but deeply flawed concept. There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that the use of laxatives is a safe or effective method of reducing body weight. This article addresses the question of the effectiveness of laxatives in weight loss, examines … 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