This Week in Virology

TWiV reviews susceptibility to vaccine-preventable infections in asylum seekers, the economic power of vaccines, French university tries to bury its investigation of a faculty member’s ethical lapses, transmission dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 in New Zealand before and after COVID-19, and a germ line encoded antibody that recognizes a broad array of enveloped viruses. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Alan Dove, Rich Condit, and Brianne Barker Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Why RFK Jr is not suitable for HHS (YouTube) Write your Senators to oppose RFK Jr Support MicrobeTV ASV 2025 Susceptibility to infections in asylum seekers (NEJM) RSV hospitalization in adults (JAMA Net Open) Ethics failings at French university (Science) RSV transmission in New Zealand (Nat Commun) Glycan reactive IgM binds multiple viruses (SciImmunol) Timestamps by Jolene. Thanks! Weekly Picks Brianne – Publication of Updated Human Cell Atlas Rich – Astroscale Alan – E3 ubiquitin ligase game, and an article about its origin Vincent – In the Quantum World, Even Points of View Are Uncertain Listener Pick Ryan – A Dangerous Moment 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 dives into H5N1/influenza and RSV circulation in the US, whether or not H5N1 is “adapting” for human-human transmission, why drinking raw milk may NOT be the best idea despite RFK Jr endorsement, before reviewing the recent statistics on SARS-CoV-2 infection, the WasterwaterScan dashboard, how if I encounter no one I can infect no one, the efficacy of COVID-19 boosters, how vaccines are the ‘seat belt’ of public health, the results of two PLACEBO control studies assessing antiviral therapy for COVID-19, where to find PEMGARDA, susceptibility of neurological complications in young to middle-aged adults and how discussing the origins of the pandemic and rise of scientific harassment will allow you to avoid a political conversation around your Thanksgiving day table, the interplay between transmission and immunity for virus spread and who to call if you do get sick this holiday. Happy Thanksgiving!   Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Influenza weekly surveillance report: cliff notes (CDC FluView) US respiratory virus activity (CDC Respiratory Illnesses) RSV-Network (CDC Respiratory Syncytial virus Infection) In case you missed, US respiratory virus activity (CDC Respiratory Illnesses) Adaptation of H5N1 to humans…..sequence analysis (Nature) Favoring human transmission for H5N1 ?(Youtube: medcram) From 2022: unprecedented bird flu outbreaks sweeping the world…..and we are still talking about it? (Nature) What children get flu: First child in US infected with H5N1 (CDC Newsroom) Bird flu detected in raw milk……but RFK at HHS says it is safe? (NBC News) COVID-19 deaths (CDC) COVID-19 national and regional trends (CDC) Waste water scan for 11 pathogens (WastewaterSCan) COVID-19 variant tracker (CDC) SARS-CoV-2 genomes galore (Nextstrain) If I see no one in my house, household Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Transmission is reduced! (CID) Updated boosters conferred protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection and emergency  visits/hospitalizations during a JN.1 variant wave(CID) Provisional COVID-19 mortality (CDC National Center for Health Statistics) Influenza, RSV and COVID-19 vaccine in nursing home residents (CDC MMWR) Vaccines are the seat belts of public health (TRID) Where to get pemgarda (Pemgarda) EUA for the pre-exposure prophylaxis of COVID-19 (INVIYD) Fusion center near you….if in NY (Prime Fusions) CDC Quarantine guidelines (CDC) NIH COVID-19 treatment guidelines (NIH) Infectious Disease Society guidelines for treatment and management (ID Society) Drug interaction checker (University of Liverpool) Molnupiravir safety and efficacy (JMV) Effectiveness of molnupiravir against 30-day mortality among 74 541 SARS-CoV-2 positive patients (OFID) Sustained Recovery Among Outpatients With COVID-19 Receiving Montelukast vs Placebo(JAMA Network Open) Convalescent plasma recommendation for immunocompromised (ID Society) What to do when sick with a respiratory virus (CDC) When your healthcare provider is infected/exposed with SARS-CoV-2 (CDC) Managing healthcare staffing shortages (CDC) Steroids, dexamethasone at the right time (OFID) Anticoagulation guidelines (hematology.org) Remdesivir for treatment of COVID-19 requiring oxygen support (CID) Daniel Griffin’s evidence based medical practices for long COVID (OFID) Neurologic manifestations of long COVID disproportionately affect young and middle-aged Adults (Annals on Neurology) To review, three score and two months ago, the WHO brought for on this planet, the declaration of SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19…. How nature began a pandemic (microbeTV) Bullying within the origin scientific discourse……by those at Rutgers (Science) Scientific harassment on the rise (Science) Doxing :The de-identified of the de-identified (Wikipedia) Harassment survey (Science) The harm of factless hypotheses (mSphere) In summary, the era of harm: factless theories (microbeTV) Stay inside: risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in community indoor settings (JID) Lower levels of household transmission of SARS-CoV-2 VOC Omicron compared to Wild-type: an interplay between transmissibility and immune status (JID) Long COVID hotline (Columbia : Columbia University Irving Medical Center) Letters read on TWiV 1170 Dr. Griffin’s COVID treatment summary (pdf) Timestamps by Jolene. Thanks! Intro music is by Ronald Jenkees Send your questions for Dr. Griffin to daniel@microbe.tv

TWiV travels to Brisbane, Australia for the Options XII for the control of influenza conference, and meets up with Stephanie Gras and Jenna Guthmiller to talk about their careers and their research. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Kathy Spindler, and Steph Langel Guests: Stephanie Gras and Jenna Guthmiller Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Goldilocks zone of influenza immunity (J Inf Dis) Broadly neutralizing HA antibodies (Nature) T cell epitopes needed for influenza vaccines (Clin Transl Immunol) T cell epitopes conserved in emerging H5N1 viruses (Clin Transl Immunol) Timestamps by Jolene. 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. Daniel Griffin, a physician specializing in infectious diseases, shares his insights on recent health concerns. He discusses the E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s onions and touches on the rising global measles crisis. The underutilization of influenza antivirals for youth is examined, alongside a $350 million mpox vaccination strategy. Griffin also highlights the dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 transmission and ongoing research into long COVID, emphasizing the necessity of credible health communication in the face of misinformation.

Discover a novel H5N1 reassortant virus causing concern in Cambodia, and learn about the circulation of vaccine-derived polioviruses. Explore the intriguing dynamics of infectious parvovirus B19 and its interactions with host cells. Delve into dengue virus infections and the role of B cells in disease severity. The discussion also uncovers viral cloaking mechanisms and fascinating ecological insights related to raccoon dogs. Finally, reflect on the impact of vaccination programs and the scientific community's response to recent political shifts.

Dr. Daniel Griffin, an infectious disease expert, provides crucial clinical updates on emerging viral threats. He discusses the alarming H5N1 flu case in Canada and its implications for health, alongside a tragic increase in flu-related pediatric deaths. The conversation dives into the Marburg outbreak in Rwanda and the ongoing mpox situation. Griffin also highlights the impact of mistrust on COVID-19 vaccine uptake, the efficacy of Paxlovid, and new findings on long-term cardiac effects from SARS-CoV-2. This episode is packed with vital insights for public health awareness.

TWiV notes the passing of virologist Diane Griffin, first H5N1 influenza virus in US pigs, Innate immune control of influenza virus interspecies adaptation via IFITM3, and antiviral trained innate immunity in alveolar macrophages after SARS-CoV-2 infection reduces secondary influenza A virus disease. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Alan Dove, Rich Condit, Kathy Spindler, and Brianne Barker Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode MicrobeTV Discord Server MicrobeTV Fundraiser Diane Griffin passes (Johns Hopkins) Diane Griffin on TWiV 453 First H5N1 influenza virus in US pigs (CIDRAP) IFITM3 controls interspecies influenza virus infection (Nat Comm) Trained innate immunity by alveolar macrophages (Immunity) Timestamps by Jolene. Thanks! Weekly Picks Angela – See a giant ‘ghost particle’ detector and more — October’s best science images Brianne – October 27 APoD: Bat nebula Dickson – Nikon Small World Contest 2024 winners Kathy – AAAS 150th anniversary video, celebrating scientists and Pew’s 2024 annual Trust in Science survey findings Rich – Cats Basically Are a Liquid After All, Study Confirms Alan – HHMI’s Beautiful Biology site Vincent – EcoHealth Alliance Fights Back Listener Picks Hunter – Don’t stop me now: Queen’s Brian May on saving badgers — and the scientific method Anne – Reasons to be cheerful 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 informs us about the World Health Organization research and development plan to combat endemic pathogens including hepatitis C virus, RSV and dengue virus, another case of mpox in Britian, the Marburg virus outbreak in Rwanda, before reviewing the recent statistics on SARS-CoV-2 infection, the WasterwaterScan dashboard, if there is a benefit to additional COVID vaccinations after the initial series, ISDA guideline for using anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibody therapy for prophylaxis, where to find PEMGARDA, a reminder of how and when to use steroids to treat COVID-19, if and how do severe secondary bacterial infections develop following SARS-CoV-2 infection, and if COVID-19 associates with a risk of autoimmune and autoinflammatory connective tissue disorders. Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Is the WHO the world’s NIH: endemic pathogens initiative (eBioMedicine) Another two cases of mpox in Britian (Reuters) How to stop Marburg virus (Rwanda Biomedical Centre) Marburg Virus fact sheet (Rwanda Biomedical Centre) Influenza weekly surveillance report: cliff notes (CDC FluView) RSV NETwork (CDC RSV) Respiratory virus activity (CDC Respiratory Illnesses) COVID-19 deaths (CDC) COVID-19 national and regional trends (CDC) Waste water scan for 11 pathogens (WastewaterSCan) COVID-19 variant tracker (CDC) SARS-CoV-2 genomes galore (Nextstrain) Symptom reduction after additional vaccine dose during Omicron (OFID) IDSA Guideline update for SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibody pemivibart pre-exposure prophylaxis (CID) Where to get pemgarda (Pemgarda) EUA for the pre-exposure prophylaxis of COVID-19 (INVIYD) Fusion center near you….if in NY (Prime Fusions) CDC Quarantine guidelines (CDC) NIH COVID-19 treatment guidelines (NIH) Infectious Disease Society guidelines for treatment and management (ID Society) Drug interaction checker (University of Liverpool) Molnupiravir safety and efficacy (JMV) Convalescent plasma recommendation for immunocompromised (ID Society) What to do when sick with a respiratory virus (CDC) When your healthcare provider is infected/exposed with SARS-CoV-2 (CDC) Managing healthcare staffing shortages (CDC) Steroids, dexamethasone at the right time (OFID) Anticoagulation guidelines (hematology.org) Secondary bacterial infection follows COVID-19 (Nature Communications) Daniel Griffin’s evidence-based medical practices for long COVID (OFID) Autoimmune and autoinflammatory connective tissue disorders following COVID-19 (JAMA Dermatology) Letters read on TWiV 1164 Dr. Griffin’s COVID treatment summary (pdf) Timestamps by Jolene. Thanks! Intro music is by Ronald Jenkees Send your questions for Dr. Griffin to daniel@microbe.tv

From the 2024 International Hepatitis B virus meeting in Chicago, TWiV speaks with Mala Maini and John Tavis about their careers, the replication and transmission of HBV, and the HBV Foundation. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello and Rich Condit Guests: Mala Maini and John Tavis Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode MicrobeTV Discord Server Immunobiology and pathogenesis of hepatitis B virus infection (Nat Rev Immunol) HBV Foundationhttps://www.hepb.org/ Timestamps by Jolene. 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 informs us about “walking pneumonia”, the phase of the polio supplemental immunization campaign in Gaza, mpox circulation, the Marburg virus outbreak in Rwanda, the beginning of influenza season, before reviewing the recent statistics on SARS-CoV-2 infection, the WasterwaterScan dashboard, contrasting public health concerns between the US and the UK, if mRNA boosters affect mucosal immunity against SARS-CoV-2 infection, where to find PEMGARDA, a reminder of how and when to use steroids to treat COVID-19, if antiviral therapy prevents long COVID and viral sequalae in healthy young marines. Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections increasing (CDC) Polio vaccination campaign restarts (Reuters) North Gaza polio campaign postponed (Reuters) 1St clade 1b mpox in UK (GOV.UK) UK imports mpox (CIDRAP) Clinical trial of MVA-BN for children (Bavarian-Nordic) How to stop Marburg virus (Rwanda Biomedical Centre) Marburg Virus fact sheet (Rwanda Biomedical Centre) Laboratory confirmed influenza associated hospitalizations 2010-2023 (CDC) Influenza weekly surveillance report: cliff notes (CDC FluView) Mucosal nirsevimab levels in breakthrough bronchiolitis (LANCET Infectious Diseases) RSV NETwork (CDC RSV) Respiratory virus activity (CDC Respiratory Illnesses) COVID-19 deaths (CDC) COVID-19 national and regional trends (CDC) Waste water scan for 11 pathogens (WastewaterSCan) UK public health data tracker (UKHSA) COVID-19 variant tracker (CDC) SARS-CoV-2 genomes galore (Nextstrain) Repeat COVID-19 mRNA vaccination contributes to mucosa immunity (Science Translational Medicine) XBB.1.5 mRNA booster vaccination limited mucosal immunity (Science Translational Medicine) I repeat: COVID mRNA booster vaccinations suboptimal respiratory mucosal immunity (Science Translational Medicie) Facial Palsy after COVID-19 vaccination? (Emerging Infectious Diseases) New preventive COVID-19 agent (ISDA) IDSA Guidelines on the Treatment and Management of Patients with COVID-19 (IDSA) Where to get pemgarda (Pemgarda) EUA for the pre-exposure prophylaxis of COVID-19 (INVIYD) Fusion center near you….if in NY (Prime Fusions) CDC Quarantine guidelines (CDC) NIH COVID-19 treatment guidelines (NIH) Infectious Disease Society guidelines for treatment and management (ID Society) Viral and symptom rebound following monoclonal antibody therapy (JID) Drug interaction checker (University of Liverpool) Nirmatrelvir plus ritonavir reduces COVID-19 hospitalization and prevents long COVID (Scientific Reports) Molnupiravir safety and efficacy (JMV) Convalescent plasma recommendation for immunocompromised (ID Society) Time to Sustained Recovery Among Outpatients With COVID-19 Receiving Montelukast vs Placebo (JAMA Network Open) What to do when sick with a respiratory virus (CDC) When your healthcare provider is infected/exposed with SARS-CoV-2 (CDC) Managing healthcare staffing shortages (CDC) Steroids, dexamethasone at the right time (OFID) Anticoagulation guidelines (hematology.org) Clinical and functional assessment of SARS-CoV-2 sequelae among young marines (LANCET: Regional Health Americas) Letters read on TWiV 1162 Dr. Griffin’s COVID treatment summary (pdf) Timestamps by Jolene. Thanks! Intro music is by Ronald Jenkees Send your questions for Dr. Griffin to daniel@microbe.tv