This Week in Virology

Dr. Daniel Griffin, a leading expert in infectious diseases, shares vital insights on recent public health challenges. He discusses the alarming Marburg and Ebola outbreaks in Africa, the largest tuberculosis outbreak in U.S. history, and the intricate politics surrounding polio vaccination in Pakistan. Griffin also reviews the impacts of avian influenza on the economy, the urgency of addressing long COVID, and resources available for treatment. His clinical updates provide a comprehensive look at the current state of infectious diseases and public health.

This discussion dives into a groundbreaking blood test for detecting head and neck cancer linked to HPV DNA. Japanese regulators have approved tecovirimat for mpox, revealing significant advancements in treatment. The hosts explore the intriguing connection between herpes viruses and Alzheimer's disease, particularly how anti-herpetic tau may protect neurons. They also dissect the interplay between viral infections and tau phosphorylation, highlighting its role in neurodegeneration. Additionally, they touch on citizen science initiatives to explore extremophiles hidden in our homes!

Dr. Daniel Griffin, an infectious disease expert, dives into pressing global health topics. He discusses the alarming Marburg outbreak in Tanzania and its implications for U.S. funding and WHO relations. The conversation highlights the rise of antiviral treatments for influenza and ongoing COVID-19 management, including strategies for long COVID sufferers. Griffin also addresses the challenges of health communication and accountability in public discourse regarding vaccines, emphasizing the importance of informed public health discussions.

Delve into the complexities of Guillain-Barré Syndrome linked to RSV vaccines and the recent surge of metapneumovirus in Asia. Discuss the fallout as editors resign over AI practices in academic publishing. Explore wild bird pathogens and their public health implications, revealing their role in zoonotic diseases. Learn about memory B cells and their influence on immune responses and vaccine development. Plus, engage with a fun card game designed to tackle academic critiques, showcasing the intersection of humor and science.

Dr. Daniel Griffin, an infectious diseases expert, provides invaluable insights into the latest outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases like whooping cough, polio, and measles. He discusses the alarming rise in norovirus linked to social gatherings and the effectiveness of hand sanitizers. The talk also covers trends in respiratory viruses, including RSV and COVID-19, and their impact on hospitalizations. Lastly, the conversation touches on long COVID symptoms, cognitive impairments associated with it, and the use of Pemgarda for immunocompromised patients.

Discover fascinating virology stories and the latest in viral research, including the origins of SARS-CoV-2 and debates around vaccine effectiveness. Hear about the significant impact of the HPV vaccine in reducing cervical cancer rates and the complexities of avian influenza. Enjoy a light-hearted reflection on vampire bat metabolism and the intelligence of crows showcased in captivating experiments. The hosts also tackle the importance of accurate scientific communication and share their unique insights on Glenn Gould's groundbreaking approach to classical music.

Dr. Daniel Griffin, a clinical expert and public health advocate, sheds light on pressing viral topics. He delves into mpox vaccination hesitancy, the implications of the first U.S. death from H5N1, and why raw pet food poses risks. Griffin analyzes the surge in metapneumovirus in China and discusses the effectiveness of Paxlovid for kidney disease patients battling COVID-19. He also addresses the connection between SARS-CoV-2, skin conditions, and long COVID, highlighting the importance of vaccination in safeguarding public health.

TWiV discusses an outbreak of influenza H5N1 that killed over half of the great cats at a Washington sanctuary, origin and cross-species transmission of bat coronaviruses in China, and the diverse and abundant phages that enter cells via receptors encoded on conjugative plasmids. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Rich Condit, and Jolene Ramsey Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Support science education at MicrobeTV ASV 2025 H5N1 virus kills great cats at Washington sanctuary (CNN) Macroevolution of bat coronaviruses in China (Nat Comm) EcoHealth Alliance funding suspended (Science) Conjugative plasmids support diverse and abundant phages (Nat Comm) Letters read on TWiV 1181 Timestamps by Jolene. Thanks! Weekly Picks Rich – Pareidolia (wiki) Jolene – Pathways to Science database Vincent – Wendy Carlos and Switched-On Bach Listener Picks Arjan – Gutsick Gibbon’s YouTube channel Alan – 2024 Nobel Prize Lectures in Chemistry 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 expert in infectious diseases, shares critical insights on the recent surge of norovirus outbreaks and H5N1 avian influenza cases. He reviews statistics on RSV, influenza, and COVID-19, and discusses the usefulness of the WastewaterScan dashboard. Griffin also highlights the promising results of Molnupiravir in reducing mortality rates and points listeners to Columbia University's long COVID treatment center. This engaging session balances serious topics with an emphasis on community health measures and ongoing vaccine research.

The discussion kicks off with the controversial demand to revoke the polio vaccine, sparking debates on public health. Researchers reveal that Wuhan lab samples lack close relatives to SARS-CoV-2. Exciting advancements are presented in using AI to uncover hidden RNA viruses, showcasing machine learning's role in virology. A study reveals critical biomarkers for identifying respiratory virus phases, enhancing diagnostics. The episode also touches on the dynamics of immune responses and the whimsical comparison of ravens and crows, packed with anecdotes.