Investigation of a type C/D botulism outbreak in free-range laying hens in France.

In 2014, a botulism outbreak in a flock of laying hens was investigated in France. In the flock of 5020 hens, clinical signs of botulism occurred at 46 weeks of age. A type C/D botulism outbreak was confirmed using the mouse lethality assay for detection of botulinum toxin in serum and a real-time PCR test to detect Clostridium botulinum in intestinal contents.

Extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli isolated from poultry: a review of current problems, illustrated with some laboratory findings.

Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli has been documented in humans as well as in food-producing birds, including chickens, and for unknown reasons the prevalence has increased significantly during the last decade. With E. coli as a major opportunistic pathogen in chickens and with a potential for zoonotic transfer to human beings, ESBL-producing E.

Identification of a new reovirus causing substantial losses in broiler production in France, despite routine vaccination of breeders.

Numerous cases of tenosynovitis appeared in France causing high morbidity in free-range and standard broilers. The main clinical findings were lameness, stunting and non-uniform bodyweights. Although the natural mortality was low, the economic losses due to birds that had to be removed from the flock prematurely, downgrading of carcases and lower average weights at slaughter were substantial.

Pleural mesothelioma in New Caledonia: associations with environmental risk factors.

Background: High incidences of malignant mesothelioma (MM) have been observed in New Caledonia. Previous work has shown an association between MM and soil containing serpentinite.

Objectives: We studied the spatial and temporal variation of MM and its association with environmental factors.

Pleural mesothelioma in New Caledonia: an acute environmental concern.

Background: In 1991, a relationship was established between excess cases of pleural cancer in New Caledonia and a traditional lime, called "Pö", to cover houses. Our study aimed to determine whether the Pö is the only cause of mesothelioma in New Caledonia.

Methods: Eligible cases were pleural tumor diagnosed between 1984 and 2002 with histological diagnosis of mesothelioma.