This Week in Virology

TWiV explains how the dengue virus protein NS1 alters Aedes aegypti midgut permeability and favors virus dissemination, and achieving a complete hepatitis B virus cure in chronic hepatitis B virus-infected humanized mice by using a capsid assembly modulator. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Alan Dove, and Angela Mingarelli Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Support science education at MicrobeTV ASV 2026 Positions in Rosenfeld Lab (email) Dengue virus NS1 alters mosquito midgut permeability (mBio) HBV cure with a capsid assembly modulator (Cell Host Microbe) Letters read on TWiV 1289 Timestamps by Jolene Ramsey. Thanks! Weekly Picks Angela – How hibernating bears maintain muscle mass Alan – The flood of Chinese grad students in the 2000s was a boon to US students. Vincent – Feynman Lectures on Physics Listener Picks David – Stewart Cheifet, Host of TV’s ‘Computer Chronicles,’ Dies at 87 Charles – Last Year, and the Year to Come 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 are bewildered and dismayed by RFK Jr’s announced changes in the routine childhood immunization schedule, though not unpredicted, and highlight the science and evidence which eviscerate these changes, then deep dives into recent statistics on the measles epidemic- in particular in South Carolina, RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections, the Wasterwater Scan dashboard, Johns Hopkins measles tracker, estimated societal burden of COVID-19 illness, deaths and hospitalizations, benefit of maternal COVID-19 vaccination, where to find PEMGARDA, how to access and pay for Paxlovid, long COVID treatment center, where to go for answers to your long COVID questions, neurodevelopmental consequences of in-utero SARS-CoV-2 infection and contacting your federal government representative to stop the assault on science and biomedical research. Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode 7 great Danish cheeses you should know (Cheese Professor) Norovirus in on the rise! (WasterWater Scan) Maternal Vaccine Receipt and Infant Hospital and Emergency Visits for Influenza and Pertussis (JAMA Open) TUESDAY MEASLES UPDATE: DPH Reports 124 New Measles Cases in Upstate, New Public Exposures, and Upcoming Vaccination Opportunities (South Carolina: Department of Public Health-they have one?) Measles cases soar in South Carolina, top 400 (CIDRAP) Wastewater for measles (WasterWater Scan) Measles cases and outbreaks (CDC Rubeola) Tracking Measles Cases in the U.S. (Johns Hopkins) Measles vaccine recommendations from NYP (jpg) 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) 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) USrespiratory virus activity (CDC Respiratory Illnesses) Respiratory virus activity levels (CDC Respiratory Illnesses) Weekly surveillance report: cliff notes (CDC FluView) North Dakota confirms pediatric flu deaths as some states note surge in flu activity (CIDRAP) OPTION 2: XOFLUZA $50 Cash Pay Option (Xofluza) The Best Flu Drug Americans Aren’t Taking (The Atlantic) Influenza Vaccine Composition for the 2025-2026 U.S. Influenza Season(FDA) RSV: Waste water scan for 11 pathogens (WastewaterSCan) Respiratory Diseases (Yale School of Public Health) Impact of universal nirsevimab prophylaxis in infants on hospital and primary care outcomes across two respiratory syncytial virus seasons in Galicia, Spain (NIRSE-GAL): a population-based prospective observational study (Lancet: Infectious Diseases) Interim Safety of RSVpreF Vaccination During Pregnancy (JAMA) Pfizer’s RSV vaccine safe to use during pregnancy, study suggests (CIDRAP) USrespiratory virus activity (CDC Respiratory Illnesses) RSV-Network (CDC Respiratory Syncytial virus Infection) Vaccines for Adults (CDC: Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection (RSV)) Economic Analysis of Protein Subunit and mRNA RSV Vaccination in Adults aged 50-59 Years (CDC: ACIP) Waste water scan for 11 pathogens (WastewaterSCan) COVID-19 deaths (CDC) Respiratory Illnesses Data Channel (CDC: Respiratory Illnesses) COVID-19 national and regional trends (CDC) COVID-19 variant tracker (CDC) SARS-CoV-2 genomes galore (Nextstrain) Antigenic and Virological Characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 Variant BA.3.2, XFG, and NB.1.8.1 (bioRxiV) Evaluating the Effectiveness of 2024–2025 Seasonal mRNA-1273 Vaccination Against COVID-19-Related Hospitalizations and Medically Attended COVID-19 Among Adults Aged ≥ 18 years in the United States: An Observational Matched Cohort Study (Infectious Diseases and Therapy) Where to get pemgarda (Pemgarda) EUAfor the pre-exposure prophylaxis of COVID-19 (INVIYD) Infusion center (Prime Fusions) CDC Quarantine guidelines (CDC) NIH COVID-19 treatment guidelines (NIH) Drug interaction checker (University of Liverpool) Help your eligible patients access PAXLOVID with the PAXCESS Patient Support Program (Pfizer Pro) UnderstandingCoverageOptions (PAXCESS) Infectious Disease Society guidelines for treatment and management (ID Society) Molnupiravir safety and efficacy (JMV) Convalescent plasma recommendation for immunocompromised (ID Society) Use of corticosteroids in influenza-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome and severe pneumonia: a systemic review and meta-analysis(Scientific Reports) What to do when sick with a respiratory virus (CDC) Managing healthcare staffing shortages (CDC) Anticoagulationguidelines (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 Incidence and Severity of Postacute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in the Omicron Era: A Prospective Cohort Study (JID) Reaching out to US house representative Letters read on TWiV 1288 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.

Discover the fascinating journey of ancient herpesviruses as hosts trace 2,500 years of betaherpesvirus 6A and 6B diversity. They also delve into how shingles vaccination might affect dementia outcomes, revealing significant reductions in mild cognitive impairment and dementia mortality. Insights reveal sex differences in vaccine effectiveness and the implications for vaccination policies. The episode is filled with intriguing links between ancient DNA, viral evolution, and modern health challenges.

In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin and Vincent Racaniello are bewildered and dismayed by RFK Jr’s announced changes in the routine childhood immunization schedule, though not unpredicted, and highlight the science and evidence which eviscerate these changes, then deep dives into recent statistics on the measles epidemic- in particular in South Carolina, RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections, the Wasterwater Scan dashboard, Johns Hopkins measles tracker, estimated societal burden of COVID-19 illness, deaths and hospitalizations, benefit of maternal COVID-19 vaccination, where to find PEMGARDA, how to access and pay for Paxlovid, long COVID treatment center, where to go for answers to your long COVID questions, neurodevelopmental consequences of in-utero SARS-CoV-2 infection and contacting your federal government representative to stop the assault on science and biomedical research. Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Childhood Immunization Schedule by Recommendation Group (US Health and Human Service) Recommended Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule for Ages 18 Years or Younger (American Academy of Pediatrics) Kennedy Scales Back the Number of Vaccines Recommended for Children (NY Times) There RFK Jr. Goes Again . . .(Wall Street Journal) Hepatitis B Vaccination is an Essential Safety Net for Newborns (Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health) Effectiveness and Impact of Maternal RSV Immunization and Nirsevimab on Medically Attended RSV in US Children (JAMA Pediatrics) Rotavirus (College of Physicians of Philadelphia) Hepatitis A in the Era of Vaccination (Epidemiologic Reviews) Meningococcal Vaccination in the United States: Past, Present, And Future (Ped Drugs) Meningococcal Vaccination: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, United States, 2020 (CDC: MMWR) N.Y. DOH says childhood vaccine recommendations remain unchanged despite CDC’s update (Spectrum 1 News) Wastewater for measles (WasterWater Scan) Measles cases and outbreaks (CDC Rubeola) Tracking Measles Cases in the U.S. (Johns Hopkins) South Carolina measles cases rise by 26 to 211, state health department says (Reuters) Measles vaccine recommendations from NYP (jpg) 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) 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) Respiratory virus activity levels (CDC Respiratory Illnesses) Weekly surveillance report: cliff notes (CDC FluView) Influenza Vaccine Composition for the 2025-2026 U.S. Influenza Season (FDA) RSV: Waste water scan for 11 pathogens (WastewaterSCan) Respiratory Diseases (Yale School of Public Health) RSV-Network (CDC Respiratory Syncytial virus Infection) Vaccines for Adults (CDC: Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection (RSV)) Economic Analysis of Protein Subunit and mRNA RSV Vaccination in Adults aged 50-59 Years (CDC: ACIP) COVID-19 deaths (CDC) Respiratory Illnesses Data Channel (CDC: Respiratory Illnesses) COVID-19 national and regional trends (CDC) COVID-19 variant tracker (CDC) Estimated Burden of COVID-19 Illnesses, Medical Visits, Hospitalizations, and Deaths in the US From October 2022 to September 2024 (JAMA Internal Medicine) The Role of Vaccination in Maternal and Perinatal Outcomes Associated With COVID-19 in Pregnancy (JAMA) Where to get pemgarda (Pemgarda) EUAfor the pre-exposure prophylaxis of COVID-19 (INVIYD) Infusion center (Prime Fusions) CDC Quarantine guidelines (CDC) NIH COVID-19 treatment guidelines (NIH) Drug interaction checker (University of Liverpool) Help your eligible patients access PAXLOVID with the PAXCESS Patient Support Program (Pfizer Pro) UnderstandingCoverageOptions (PAXCESS) 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) Anticoagulationguidelines (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 The COVID generation: the neurodevelopmental consequences of in-utero COVID-19 exposure (Brain, behavior and Immunity) Reaching out to US house representative Letters read on TWiV 1286 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.

Explore the intriguing connections between herpesviruses and dementia, revealing how infections may influence cognitive health. Dive into the alarming trends of public health policy changes in the U.S. and their implications for science. Gain insights into hepatitis B and C research, and hear highlights from influential scientists like Charlie Rice. Plus, uncover the surprising links between respiratory infections and cancer reactivation. This week is packed with essential updates on vaccine developments and fascinating virology discussions!

Dr. Daniel Griffin, a physician and infectious disease specialist, provides insight into the current landscape of respiratory viruses and vaccine-preventable illnesses. He discusses the alarming rise in whooping cough and low tetanus vaccination rates. Griffin analyzes the surge in flu cases, particularly in New York, and shares recent statistics on measles and RSV. He highlights public health challenges, urges action against anti-science sentiments, and offers guidance on navigating long COVID. Tune in for an engaging blend of clinical updates and urgent public health messages.

TWiV explains studies which reveal that Inhibition of CXCL10 and IFN-γ mitgates myocarditis associated with SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination, and identification of a bacteriophage T7 protein that antagonizes the DNA restriction system of the host by mimicking B form DNA. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello and Jolene Ramsey Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Support science education at MicrobeTV ASV 2026 Understanding mRNA vaccine-associated myocarditis (Sci Transl Med) T7 protein overcomes DNA restriction of host (J Mol Biol) Structure of T7 protein that mimics DNA (Mol Cell) Letters read on TWiV 1283 Timestamps by Jolene Ramsey. Thanks! Weekly Picks Jolene – Book series Dinosaur Therapy, Dinosaur Philosophy, & Dinosaur Friendship Vincent – One Plus One Equals One: Symbiosis and the evolution of complex life by John Archibald Listener Picks Terry – Arcadia by Tom Stoppard Greg – Charctic Interactive Sea Ice Graph | National Snow and Ice Data Center 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. Daniel Griffin, an infectious disease clinician and researcher, dives into pressing viral concerns, from a new high path influenza case in Wisconsin to the Marburg outbreak in Ethiopia. He highlights the alarming rise of measles cases across North America and discusses the effectiveness of current influenza antivirals. Key insights include the higher mortality rates linked to COVID-19 compared to influenza, and the promising data on nirsevimab for RSV prevention in infants. The importance of vaccination remains a recurring theme throughout their insightful chat.

Vincent travels to Tegernsee, Germany for the Sixth Ringberg Symposium on Giant Viruses, where he talks with John Archibald, Susana Coelho, and Tom Delmont about their work on – you guessed it – giant viruses. Host: Vincent Racaniello Guests: John Archibald, Susana Coelho, and Tom Delmont Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Transposable elements shaping Ectocarpus genome (Genome Biol) Mirusviruses link herpesviruses to giant viruses (Nature) Mirusviruses predicted to reproduce in nuclei (Nat Micro) Persistent mirusvirus infection in the marine protist Aurantiochytrium (Nat Com) 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 protest Vinjay Prasad, head of CBER FDA Nov memo stating administration of the COVID-19 vaccine resulted in 10 children’s deaths, but are cautiously delighted by the December memo from those in CBER who dispute this data-less claim, how in 31 states pertussis vaccination rates have declined before Dr. Griffin then deep dives into recent statistics on the measles epidemic, RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections, the Wasterwater Scan dashboard, Johns Hopkins measles tracker, of clinical outcomes of oseltamivir versus baloxavir for treating influenza infection, number deaths associated with COVID-19 hospitalizations and disease associated economic burden, where to find PEMGARDA, how to access and pay for Paxlovid, long COVID treatment center, where to go for answers to your long COVID questions, how the German government is committed to research into long COVID and contacting your federal government representative to stop the assault on science and biomedical research. Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Industry laments Prasad vaccine memo (Politico) Scoop: FDA vaccine chief’s memo cited 10 pediatric Covid-19 vaccine deaths—but the agency’s own analysis found 0–7 (Inside Medicine) Whooping cough cases soar as vaccination rates drop (NBC News) Marburg Outbreak in Ethiopia: Current Situation (CDC: Marburg Virus Disease) Wastewater for measles (WasterWater Scan) Measles cases and outbreaks (CDC Rubeola) Tracking Measles Cases in the U.S. (Johns Hopkins) Measles vaccine recommendations from NYP (jpg) 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) 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) Hundreds quarantined as South Carolina measles outbreak accelerates (Washington Post) Influenza: Waste water scan for 11 pathogens (WastewaterSCan) USrespiratory virus activity (CDC Respiratory Illnesses) Respiratory virus activity levels (CDC Respiratory Illnesses) Weekly surveillance report: clift notes (CDC FluView) In call with clinicians, CDC recommends flu vaccines widely (CIDRAP) Influenza Vaccine Composition for the 2025-2026 U.S. Influenza Season (FDA) Comparison of clinical outcomes of oseltamivir versus baloxavir in outpatients with influenza: a retrospective cohort analysis (International Journal of Infectious Diseases) RSV: Waste water scan for 11 pathogens (WastewaterSCan) Respiratory Diseases (Yale School of Public Health) USrespiratory virus activity (CDC Respiratory Illnesses) RSV-Network (CDC Respiratory Syncytial virus Infection) Vaccines for Adults (CDC: Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection (RSV)) Economic Analysis of Protein Subunit and mRNA RSV Vaccination in Adults aged 50-59 Years (CDC: ACIP) Waste water scan for 11 pathogens (WastewaterSCan) COVID-19 deaths (CDC) Respiratory Illnesses Data Channel (CDC: Respiratory Illnesses) COVID-19 national and regional trends (CDC) COVID-19 variant tracker (CDC) SARS-CoV-2 genomes galore (Nextstrain) Antigenic and Virological Characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 Variant BA.3.2, XFG, and NB.1.8.1 (bioRxiV) Effectiveness of 2024–2025 COVID-19 Vaccines in Children in the United States — VISION, August 29, 2024–September 2, 2025 (CDC:MMWR) Mortality following recovery from COVID-19 hospitalization: A long-term cohort study (International Journal of Infectious Diseases) COVID hospitalization tied to 69% higher risk of death for up to 2 years (CIDRAP) Where to get pemgarda (Pemgarda) EUAfor the pre-exposure prophylaxis of COVID-19 (INVIYD) Infusion center (Prime Fusions) CDC Quarantine guidelines (CDC) NIH COVID-19 treatment guidelines (NIH) Drug interaction checker (University of Liverpool) Help your eligible patients access PAXLOVID with the PAXCESS Patient Support Program (Pfizer Pro) Understanding Coverage Options (PAXCESS) Infectious Disease Society guidelines for treatment and management (ID Society) Comparison of work productivity losses in the United States among employees with COVID-19 at high-risk of severe disease who were untreated or treated with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Journal of Medical Economics) 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) Anticoagulationguidelines (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 research just got a big funding boost: will it find new treatments?(Nature) Reaching out to US house representative Letters read on TWiV 1280 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.