This Week in Virology

David Barton, Brian Kemp, and Olve Peersen join TWiV to discuss RNA recombination among enteroviruses and its role in foiling poliovirus eradication. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Alan Dove, and Rich Condit Guests: David Barton, Brian Kempf, and Olve Peersen Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Support science education at MicrobeTV Enterovirus C recombination groups (J Virol) Poliovirus polymerase L420 facilitates RNA recombination (J Virol) Picornavirus RNA recombination counteracts error catastrophe (J Virol) Extended primer grip and picornavirus RNA recombination (J Virol) Timestamps by Jolene Ramsey. Thanks! Intro music is by Ronald Jenkees Send your virology questions and comments to twiv@microbe.tv Content in this podcast should not be construed as medical advice.

Dr. Griffin tackles contentious COVID-19 vaccination debates, emphasizing myocarditis risks and evolving safety perceptions. He uncovers surprising links between vaccination and reduced dementia risk while reviewing alarming statistics on measles, RSV, and influenza. The podcast dives into new antiviral treatments and the ongoing challenges posed by emerging COVID-19 variants. Additionally, it highlights the importance of vaccination for mitigating long-term health issues and discusses crucial community health initiatives.

The hosts dive into the controversy of FDA directives on COVID vaccine safety, sparking concerns about public health. They discuss the push for open access to NIH-funded research, with implications for academic publishing. The interplay between Epstein-Barr virus and long COVID is explored, revealing genetic and immune response insights. Bats' unique antiviral responses are examined, shedding light on their immunity against zoonotic viruses. The discussion rounds off with historical vaccine ads and the evolving role of AI in scientific literature.

Dr. Daniel Griffin, a physician and infectious disease researcher, joins to share fascinating insights on vaccine safety controversies, particularly concerning thimerosal. He discusses shocking political decisions impacting COVID vaccine recommendations for pregnant women. Recent statistics on measles, RSV, and flu outbreaks are covered, along with the potential inclusion of the NB.1.8.1 variant in future vaccines. Dr. Griffin also highlights the association between long COVID and cognitive decline, emphasizing the importance of sound science in public health.

The discussion kicks off with serious concerns over declining global vaccination rates and their impact on children’s health. They delve into the controversial comments of public figures regarding vaccine safety and misinformation. The hosts clarify the complexities surrounding autism diagnoses and the importance of accurate discussions. Additionally, they explore the fascinating world of viral glycoproteins in vaccine development and highlight the critical role of energy metabolism in viral replication. The conversation wraps up with a celebration of scientific achievements and a call to support public health.

Dr. Daniel Griffin, a physician and infectious diseases expert, joins Vincent Racaniello for an informative discussion. They express concerns over RFK's impact on vaccine policies, stressing the risks of neglecting immunization practices. The duo reviews alarming data on RSV, influenza, and COVID-19, along with recent advancements in monoclonal antibody treatments. They also explore emerging long COVID therapies and the importance of maintaining global vaccination efforts while addressing vaccine hesitancy. A call to action for scientific integrity resonates throughout the conversation.

Rich travels to Dubrovnik for the European Congress of Virology 2025 and Vincent joins via Zoom to speak with Stéphane Blanc, Vanda Juranić Lisnić, and Elisabeth Puchhammer-Stöckl about their work on plant viruses, cytomegalovirus, and Epstein-Barr virus. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello and Rich Condit Guests: Stéphane Blanc, Vanda Juranić Lisnić, and Elisabeth Puchhammer-Stöckl Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Support science education at MicrobeTV Assembled plant viruses move through plants (PLoS Path) Genome formula of multipartite virus (PLoS Path) Immune surveillance of cytomegalovirus in tissues (Cell Mol Immunol) Cytomegalovirus and NK cells (Nat Commun) Epstein-Barr virus and multiple sclerosis (J Clin Inves) Epstein-Barr virus and lymphoproliferative disease (Transplant) Timestamps by Jolene Ramsey. Thanks! Intro music is by Ronald Jenkees Send your virology questions and comments to twiv@microbe.tv Content in this podcast should not be construed as medical advice.

In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin and Vincent Racaniello discuss in shock how RFK is breaking his promise of not altering vaccine policies by appointing new members of the ACIP, next ACIP meeting on guidelines for the COVID and RSV vaccines, circulation of “human insect viruses” including West Nile virus, and an outbreak of mpox on a cruise ship, and the ongoing measles outbreak before Dr. Griffin reviews recent statistics on RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections the Wasterwater Scan dashboard, how to reduce the use of antibiotics for RSV and influenza infections in children, approval of the moderna RSV mRNA vaccine, whether or not the NB.1.8.1 should be included in the fall 2025 vaccines, immunization recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines, where to find PEMGARDA, provides information for Columbia University Irving Medical Center’s long COVID treatment center, where to go for answers to your long COVID questions, contacting your federal government representative to stop the assault on science and biomedical research, and a shout out for the special episode of TWiV with David Tuller on long COVID and ME/CFS. Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode RFK Jr. is sabotaging the vaccine program. Here’s how to stop him (Washington Post) Innovaciones Alumbra (Alumbra Innovaciones) John T Walton (Wikiepedia) Walmart (Wikipedia) Sam Walton (Wikipedia) Condé Nast (Wikipedia) Christy Walton (Wikipedia) Vaccine Integrity Project ( CIDRAP) CIDRAP launches Vaccine Integrity Project (Twin Cities: University of Minnesota) Next ACIP meeting (CDC: ACIP) June meeting: MEETING OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON IMMUNIZATION PRACTICES (ACIP)(CDC: ACIP agenda) West Nile Virus and Other Nationally Notifiable Arboviral Diseases — United States, 2023 (CDC: MMWR) Clade II Mpox Infections Among Cruise Ship Passengers and Crew Members — United States, 2024 (CDC: MMWR) H5 bird flu: current situation (CDC: Avian Influenza) Wastewater for measles (WasterWater Scan) Measles cases and outbreaks (CDC Rubeola) Weekly measles and rubella monitoring (Government of Canada) Measles (WHO) Get the FACTS about measles (NY State Department of Health) Measles (CDC Measles (Rubeola)) Measles vaccine (CDC Measles (Rubeola)) Presumptive evidence of measles immunity (CDC) Contraindications and precautions to measles vaccination (CDC) Measles (CDC Measles (Rubeola) Measles vaccine recommendations from NYP (jpg) Adverse events associated with childhood vaccines: evidence bearing on causality (NLM) Measles Vaccination: Know the Facts (ISDA: Infectious Diseases Society of America) Deaths following vaccination: what does the evidence show (Vaccine) Influenza: Waste water scan for 11 pathogens (WastewaterSCan) US respiratory virus activity (CDC Respiratory Illnesses) Weekly surveillance report: clift notes (CDC FluView) Respiratory virus activity levels (CDC Respiratory Illnesses) Weekly surveillance report: clift notes (CDC FluView) Pediatric antibiotic use associated with respiratory syncytial virus and influenza in the United States, 2008-2018 (JID) FDA-CDC-DOD: 2025-2046 influenza vaccine composition (FDA) RSV: Waste water scan for 11 pathogens (WastewaterSCan) US respiratory virus activity (CDC Respiratory Illnesses) RSV-Network (CDC Respiratory Syncytial virus Infection) Novel Drug Approvals for 2025 (FDA) Effectiveness and impact of nirsevimab in Chile during the first season of a national immunisation strategy against RSV (NIRSE-CL) (LANCET: Infectious Diseases) Safety, Tolerability, and Immunogenicity ofmRNA-1345 in Adults at Increased Risk for RSV Disease Aged 18 to 59 Years (CID) Moderna Receives U.S. FDA Approval for RSV Vaccine, mRESVIA, in Adults Aged 18–59 at Increased Risk for RSV Disease (moderna) Waste water scan for 11 pathogens (WastewaterSCan) COVID-19 deaths (CDC) COVID-19 national and regional trends (CDC) Spatiotemporal Association of Coronavirus Disease 2019 Cases and Deaths With Exposure to Wildfire Particulate Matter in 2020 (OFID) COVID-19 variant tracker (CDC) SARS-CoV-2 genomes galore (Nextstrain) Next ACIP meeting (CDC: ACIP) Antigenic and Virological Characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 Variant BA.3.2, XFG, and NB.1.8.1 (biRxiV) Where to get pemgarda (Pemgarda) EUA for the pre-exposure prophylaxis of COVID-19 (INVIYD) Infusion center (Prime Fusions) CDC Quarantine guidelines (CDC) NIH COVID-19 treatment guidelines (NIH) Implementation of an online drug-drug interaction screener for the STRIVE ensitrelvir trial for COVID-19 (OFID) Drug interaction checker (University of Liverpool) Infectious Disease Society guidelines for treatment and management (ID Society) Molnupiravir safety and efficacy (JMV) Convalescent plasma recommendation for immunocompromised (ID Society) What to do when sick with a respiratory virus (CDC) Managing healthcare staffing shortages (CDC) Steroids,dexamethasone at the right time (OFID) Anticoagulation guidelines (hematology.org) Daniel Griffin’s evidence based medical practices for long COVID (OFID) Long COVID hotline (Columbia : Columbia University Irving Medical Center) The answers: Long COVID Long COVID and ME/CFS with David Tuller (microbeTV) Reaching out to US house representative Letters read on TWiV 1228 Dr. Griffin’s COVID treatment summary (pdf) Timestamps by Jolene Ramsey. Thanks! Intro music is by Ronald Jenkees Send your questions for Dr. Griffin to daniel@microbe.tv Content in this podcast should not be construed as medical advice.

David Tuller, a renowned public health and journalism expert, dives deep into the complexities of ME/CFS and Long COVID. He analyzes the controversial PACE trial, critiquing its flawed methodologies that reinforce misunderstandings about chronic fatigue syndrome. Tuller discusses the implications of inadequate funding for research and the issues surrounding a recent Norwegian trial claiming positive outcomes. He also highlights the importance of accurate treatment guidelines and the growing awareness of ME/CFS in the wake of Long COVID.

TWiV reviews the administrations dismantling of the committee that studies pandemic potential, firing of CDC vaccine advisory committee and replacing them with unqualified anti-vaxxers, zoonotic and sustained Mpox spread in Nigeria and Cameroon, and breadth of influenza A antibody cross-reactivity. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Alan Dove, and Brianne Barker Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Support science education at MicrobeTV 2:39 NIH terminates pandemic preparedness committee (Science) RFK Jr. fires all ACIP members (CNN) RFK Jr. names dubious members of new ACIP (NPR) Zoonotic and sustained Mpox spread in West Africa (Nature) Breadth of influenza A antibody cross-reactivity (Nat Micro) Letters read on TWiV 1227 Timestamps by Jolene Ramsey. Thanks! Weekly Picks Brianne – Accidental discovery in planetarium show Alan – Project Hail Mary Vincent – How to speak to a vaccine sceptic: research reveals what works Listener Picks James – Looking at the world through a microscope Intro music is by Ronald Jenkees Send your virology questions and comments to twiv@microbe.tv Content in this podcast should not be construed as medical advice.