Viruses infecting vegetable and horticultural crops constitute a mosaic of complex pathosystems due to the important number of cultivated species at risk, the diversity of cropping systems (open field, greenhouse, soil-less, conventional, integrated organic production) and the large number of different virus species infecting each crop species. In the last few years, in France as well as in other countries, a rapid evolution of these pathosystems has been observed in relation to many factors: intensification of worldwide commercial exchanges, rapid turn-over of cultivars, and changes in climate and cultural practices. An accurate knowledge of the pathosystem and its evolution, as well as good diagnostic tools, are required to anticipate and prevent/limit the impact of virus emergences. Virology team is also involved in the lavender decline associated with phytoplasma.

In collaboration with URMITE (Research unit on emerging infectious and tropical diseases) in Marseille, this team have also studied if plant viruses could have an impact on human health. Although no clear pathogenicity of plant viruses was demonstrated, this work showed that tobamoviruses are common in human stool, tobacco and pepper-derived food products. Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) could persist and enter in cells in mammals, which raises questions about the potential interactions between TMV and human hosts.