Publications

Development of an Experimental Model Using Cold Stress to Assess the Pathogenicity of Two Moroccan AI H9N2 Isolates from 2016 and 2022 in Commercial Broiler Chickens

Since 2016, low pathogenic avian influenza virus (LPAIV) H9N2 became a major issue for poultry production in Morocco, especially during co-infections.

This study tested an experimental infection model using cold stress and without other pathogens. Broilers were infected with H9N2 strains isolated in 2016 and 2022. Results showed that the 2022 strain had higher virulence and viral shedding than the 2016 strain. Cold stress worsened clinical symptoms, allowing researchers to create a scoring system and validate the model.

With this new model, our partners from The IAV Hassan II , INRAE and ENVT are helping to improve our understanding of the pathogenesis of H9N2 and to support future research.

You can read the full article here.

Arbani O, Ducatez MF, Kadja-Wonou M, Salamat F, Kichou F, et al. (2025) Development of an experimental model using cold stress to assess the pathogenicity of two Moroccan AI H9N2 isolates from 2016 and 2022 in commercial broiler chickens. PLOS ONE 20(4): e0320666. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0320666 

April 2025

First Outbreak of African Swine Fever in Sweden: Local Epidemiology, Surveillance, and Eradication Strategies

In September 2023, African swine fever (ASF) was confirmed in wild boar in Sweden, making the country part of the current global ASF epidemic that started in Georgia in 2007. This article describes the local epidemiology, including the spatiotemporal dynamics of the outbreak and some of the factors that may have contributed to its apparently successful eradication. Through their research, our partners from the Swedish Veterinary Agency (SVA) provided key datas for our Integrative and Interdisciplinary Approach .

You can read the full article here.

Chenais E, Ahlberg V, Andersson K, Banihashem F, Björk L, Cedersmyg M, Ernholm L, Frössling J, Gustafsson W, Hellqvist Björnerot L, Hultén C, Kim H, Leijon M, Lindström A, Liu L, Nilsson A, Nöremark M, Olofsson KM, Pettersson E, Rosendal T, Sjölund M, Thurfjell H, Widgren S, Wikström-Lassa E, Zohari S, Ågren E, Ågren E, Ståhl K, First Outbreak of African Swine Fever in Sweden: Local Epidemiology, Surveillance, and Eradication Strategies, Transboundary and Emerging Diseases, 2024, 6071781, 15 pages, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/6071781

June 2024

Zoonotic Potential of Chronic Wasting Disease after Adaptation in Intermediate Species

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a highly contagious prion disease affecting members of the Cervidae family (e.g. reindeer, red deer, and moose). In this research letter, the team discusses the potential capacity of CWD to transmit to sheep or other farmed animals, which could have significant implications for animal and public health.

You can read the full article here.

Barrio T, Benestad SL, Douet J, Huor A, Lugan S, Aron N, et al. Zoonotic Potential of Chronic Wasting Disease after Adaptation in Intermediate Species. Emerg Infect Dis. 2024;30(12):2691-2694. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid3012.240536

December 2024