Veterinary Research Combats Infectious Diseases at IHU Marseille

The Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire (IHU) Méditerranée Infection in Marseille, France, has integrated veterinary research directly into its hospital structure to strengthen the fight against infectious diseases. This multidisciplinary approach utilizes a One Health framework, which recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health to better understand and combat zoonotic pathogens.

At the center of this effort is the Centre de recherche vétérinaire (CRV), a specialized unit designed for active surveillance of animals. The CRV monitors domestic and wild animals, whether living or dead, that are suspected of carrying unknown or zoonotic infectious diseases, as well as those that may act as asymptomatic reservoir hosts for pathogens that affect humans.

The Role of the Veterinary Research Center

The CRV is designed as a reactive and mobile structure capable of rapid deployment for field investigations. The team consists of students and three veterinarians specializing in parasitology, microbiology, epidemiology, and infectiology.

The center provides a range of technical expertise to support public health surveillance, including:

• Conducting epidemiological surveys of animals found in the environments of individuals who are suspected of or have been diagnosed with zoonoses.
• Performing necropsies on animals that have died naturally or accidentally.
• Collecting animal samples, including non-invasive methods such as feces collection, following the principle of le bon prélèvement, au bon moment, bien conservé (the right sample, at the right time, well preserved).
• Managing epidemiological surveillance for specific cohorts, such as sentinel herds, shelter dogs, and military dogs deployed in external operations.

The CRV also handles the reception of biopsies, blood, feces, and endo- and ectoparasites of animal origin for analysis at the IHU.

Integrating Human and Animal Medicine

The placement of a veterinary research center within a hospital environment is described as unique globally. This proximity allows for daily, direct collaborations between medical doctors and veterinarians, facilitating a faster response to emerging infectious threats.

This integration is part of the broader infrastructure of the IHU Méditerranée Infection, which hospitalizes 3,000 patients annually and hosts four research units. The institution also operates one of the most advanced microbiological diagnostic laboratories in Europe.

Advancing Diagnostics and Innovation

The need for this integrated approach is driven by the rapid evolution of pathogens and the increase in antimicrobial resistance. During the Infectious Diseases Diagnostics Day: Innovation and Challenges conference on December 11, 2025, the IHU and Eurobiomed highlighted the limitations of existing medical tools.

traditional methods often struggle to keep pace and there is an urgent need for innovative diagnostic solutions

Prof. Pierre-Edouard Fournier, Director of IHU Méditerranée Infection

The conference, held in Marseille, aimed to evaluate 15 years of innovation in diagnostics and establish new perspectives by bringing together clinicians, researchers, and industry professionals to create an ecosystem conducive to new medical solutions.

By combining field-based veterinary surveillance with high-level hospital diagnostics, the IHU aims to improve the detection of zoonotic pathogens before they cause widespread human outbreaks, embodying the practical application of the One Health concept in a clinical setting.