Infectious diseases / Epidemiology

Infectious diseases that affect reproductive health are a significant concern. They can reduce fertility and harm the development of the embryo, the fetus, and the newborn’s health.

These infections can affect various organs of the male and female reproductive systems, disrupt fertilization, implantation or gestation processes, and may be transmitted vertically from the mother to the embryo or newborn. Studying these diseases requires an integrated understanding of host–pathogen–environment interactions, as well as the use of surveillance, prevention, and epidemiological analysis tools.

Infectious Diseases in Cattle

In animal production, infectious diseases result in major economic losses. In cattle, pathogens such as IBR (infectious bovine rhinotracheitis) and BVD (bovine viral diarrhea) cause abortions and decreased fertility. The laboratory of Simon Dufour studies vaccination as a preventive strategy, particularly against these two infections. His research also focuses on the detection and control of BVD, fetal losses during gestation in dairy cattle, and the use of pregnancy-associated glycoproteins as pregnancy tests. He is broadly interested in the epidemiology of bovine diseases and the monitoring of antimicrobial use in dairy production.

The prevention and control of infectious diseases in farm animals is at the core of the research conducted by Juan Carlos Arango Sabogal’s team. His work relies on epidemiological approaches, bioinformatics, and machine learning.

Endometritis, an inflammation of the uterine lining, is a frequent cause of infertility in cows. Guillaume St-Jean uses molecular biology techniques to better understand how this disease develops. His goal is to identify new ways to prevent or treat it, in order to improve reproductive health in cattle.

The impact of infectious diseases on animal and dairy production is also a research focus for Isabella Nicola and Marianne Villettaz-Robichaud.

Infectious Diseases in Humans

In humans, infections of the female genital tract have major consequences on fertility and pregnancy.

One of Karine Dufresne’s research interests is the disruption of the vaginal microbiota, particularly due to the overgrowth of pathogens. Her long-term goal is to better understand the microbial environment of the vagina and uterus, which would support the development of new preventive or therapeutic strategies.

Some infections acquired during pregnancy can lead to serious complications. Congenital toxoplasmosis, caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, is transmitted from the mother to the child and can lead to neurological and ocular damage in the newborn. Maritza Jaramillo studies the molecular mechanisms underlying the harmful effects of this infection during pregnancy.

Thus, infectious reproductive diseases—whether in livestock or humans—raise shared challenges in microbiology, immunology, epidemiology, and prevention. Their integrated management fits within a One Health perspective, aiming to optimize reproductive health at the intersection of species, environments, and healthcare systems.