Toxoplasmosis is an infectious disease which is caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii and primarily affects cats. Nonetheless, other mammals, including humans, can be an intermediary host and become infected with this pathogen.
The summer holidays are about to start and many people look forward to spending them in southern Europe, e.g. the Mediterranean. Those who have a dog don’t want to leave it behind at home. However, there is an underestimated danger lurking.
Borrelia is the causative agent of Lyme borreliosis, a bacterial disease which is transmitted through bites from ticks of the genus Ixodes.
The microbiological status of laboratory animals is not only decisive for their own well‑being but it also affects the validity and reproducibility of research data.