This Week in Virology

This week delves into groundbreaking science, starting with Jason McLellan's prestigious MacArthur Award. Discover the latest in Huntington's disease treatment, showcasing promising gene therapy trials. The hosts unpack the intricate structure of an archaeal virus, uncovering its potential evolutionary links. Additionally, a newly identified Legionella phage reveals fascinating insights into human disease. They also touch on light-hearted listener emails and share intriguing picks of the week, including the last female Great Auk specimen.

Dr. Daniel Griffin, an infectious diseases clinician and regular contributor, dives into pressing health topics. He discusses Jane Goodall’s legacy, the Nobel Prize discoveries on immune regulation, and the current measles epidemic affecting pregnant women. Griffin also highlights recent findings on COVID-19's impact on pregnancies and vascular dementia risk. In addition, he delves into the effectiveness of a two-dose influenza vaccine for young children and addresses long COVID in pediatrics, calling for urgent support for medical research.

Explore the intriguing world of avian H5N1 influenza as hosts discuss its transmission in goats and the implications for public health. Discover the cellular receptor identified for tick-borne encephalitis virus, revealing new insights into viral entry mechanisms. The show also touches on public trust in science and the recent culling of H5N1-infected ostriches in Canada. Plus, listen to unique listener letters addressing vaccine policy, measles outbreaks, and study picks about cosmic discoveries!

In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin with Vincent Racaniello chat about the ongoing Ebola outbreak in DRC, increases in screwworm diagnoses, a pertussis death in Mississippi before Dr. Griffin deep dives into recent statistics on the measles epidemic, RSV, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infections, the Wasterwater Scan dashboard, Johns Hopkins measles tracker, monoclonal antibody therapy against RSV, where to find PEMGARDA, long COVID treatment center, where to go for answers to your long COVID questions, olfactory dysfunction following 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 Ebola Disease (WHO: African Region) Mexico sees 32% jump in flesh-eating screwworm cases since August as cases move north (Reuters) Pediatric Pertussis Death Reported (Mississippi State Department of Health) 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) Measles (CDC Measles (Rubeola)) Measles (CDC: Measles Rubeola) 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-Associated Pediatric Deaths — United States, 2024–25 Influenza Season (CDC: MMWR) ACIP Recommendations Summary (CDC: Influenza) Influenza Vaccine Composition for the 2025-2026 U.S. Influenza Season(FDA) RSV: Waste water scan for 11 pathogens (WastewaterSCan) US respiratory virus activity (CDC Respiratory Illnesses) RSV-Network (CDC Respiratory Syncytial virus Infection) Nirsevimab Administration and RSV Hospitalization in the 2024-2025 Season (JAMA: Open Network) 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) Evidence to Recommendations Framework (EtR): RSV Vaccination in Adults Aged 50–59 years (CDC: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases) Efficacy and safety of respiratory syncytial virus vaccines (Cochrane Library) 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) 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) 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) 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 Olfactory Dysfunction After SARS-CoV-2 Infection in the RECOVER Adult Cohort (JAMA: Open Network) Reaching out to US house representative Letters read on TWiV 1258 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.

Elke Wollants, a lab manager at KU Leuven with expertise in wastewater surveillance, discusses her innovative study on analyzing airplane toilet waste for viruses. She details the logistics of collecting samples from high-risk flights, particularly from Beijing to Brussels, and reveals that about 60% tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Beyond COVID-19, they explored other pathogens, including norovirus and bacteria. Looking ahead, Elke shares plans for enhanced surveillance techniques and the potential to detect various serious viruses, contributing significantly to public health.

Explore groundbreaking experiments creating genetically modified chickens that resist avian influenza using CRISPR technology. The hosts discuss how these edits impact viral shedding and the risks of viral escape mutations. Transitioning to HTLV-1, they unveil innovative therapies that show promise in eradicating the virus in humanized mice. The risks and history of emerging pathogens meet the excitement of scientific advancement in this engaging and informative discussion.

Dr. Daniel Griffin, an infectious disease clinician, shares insights on crucial viral diseases. He dissects public misconceptions about science, linking historical examples to current skepticism. Griffin discusses a troubling surge in measles cases and the importance of vaccination, alongside a rise in pediatric flu deaths. He details the latest on COVID vaccine recommendations, emphasizing a universal approach. With updates on Ebola in the DRC and new RSV monoclonal treatments, Griffin provides urgent guidance for public health and individual safety.

Pamela Vallely, President of the European Society for Clinical Virology, and Piotr Kramarz, Chief Scientist at the ECDC, share insights from Thessaloniki. They discuss the crucial role of ESCV in advancing clinical virology and the ECDC's surveillance efforts against communicable diseases. Topics include cross-border pathogen coordination, epidemic intelligence, and the importance of public outreach to combat misinformation and vaccine hesitancy. They also reflect on their personal hobbies, adding a fun twist to the serious discussions.

Dr. Daniel Griffin, a seasoned clinician and infectious disease expert, joins to provide crucial insights on the evolving landscape of public health. He discusses the alarming increase in U.S. measles cases and highlights tragic complications like SSPE from this preventable disease. The conversation dives into the latest COVID-19 vaccine safety data, emphasizing its reliability for pregnant women. Dr. Griffin also explains new treatments for long COVID and stresses the importance of scientific integrity in health policy, urging listeners to advocate for robust biomedical research.

In this lively discussion, Aaron Schmidt, head of Harvard's virology program, shares his insights on using protein engineering to modulate immune responses against viruses like influenza. Tatum Sass reflects on her CAR T cell advancements, while Ben Gewurz unpacks the complexities of Epstein-Barr virus and its ties to health issues. They emphasize resilience in research and the need for clear science communication, all set against the backdrop of the Harvard virology retreat, which celebrates collaboration and the importance of mentorship in shaping future scientists.