This Week in Virology

TWiV reviews why children should be vaccinated against COVID-19, increased risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2 Beta, Gamma, and Delta variant compared to Alpha variant in vaccinated but not recovered individuals, and immune correlates of protection from the mRNA-1273 vaccine efficacy trial. Hosts:  Vincent Racaniello , Dickson Despommier , and Brianne Barker Subscribe (free):  iTunes ,  Google Podca...

In COVID-19 clinical update #90, Dr. Griffin covers FDA expansion for booster doses, 3 more at home antigen tests approved by FDA, immune correlates analysis of mRNA-1273 vaccine, risk for stillbirth, PROVENT prophylaxis trial results, fluvoxamine recommendations, advice on molnupiravir, automated text messaging service for monitoring illness, and long COVID-19 after vaccination and infection. Hos...

TWiV reviews Michael Worobey's dissection of the early COVID-19 cases in Wuhan, and the discovery that herpesviruses assimilate cellular kinesin to produce motorized virus particles. Hosts:  Vincent Racaniello , Alan Dove , and Kathy Spindler Subscribe (free):  iTunes ,  Google Podcasts ,  RSS ,  email Become a  patron  of TWiV! Links for this episode Early COVID-19 cases in Wuhan (Science) Herpes...

TWiV reviews the vials labeled smallpox that were not, re-emergence of enterovirus D68 in Europe, efficacy of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, and cellular correlates of protection for an oral influenza virus vaccine. Hosts:  Vincent Racaniello , Dickson Despommier , Rich Condi t , and Amy Rosenfeld Subscribe (free):  iTunes ,  Google Podcasts ,  RSS ,  email Become a  patron  of TWiV! Links for th...

In COVID-19 clinical update #89, Dr. Griffin reviews upcoming meeting on FDA emergency use authorization for molnupiravir, 25% of US cases in children, reinfection associates with presence of antibodies, national surveillance for acute flaccid myelitis in the US, and monoclonal antibody treatment of infection in vaccinated, high-risk individuals. Hosts:  Daniel Griffin and Vincent Racaniello Subsc...

TWiV explains that a recent report suggesting that the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein inhibits V(D)J recombination in vitro would not impact immunity after infection or vaccination, and describes the isolation of remdesivir resistant mutants in cells in culture, and the emergence of amino acid changes in the spike protein identical to those in variants of concern, in the absence of immune selection. Hos...

A TWiV duo reviews how SARS-CoV-2 attacks the olfactory mucosa but spares the olfactory bulb, vaccination with BNT162b2 induces virus-specific stem cell memory T cells, and development of an oral protease inhibitor for the treatment of COVID-19. Hosts:  Vincent Racaniello and Brianne Barker Subscribe (free):  iTunes ,  Google Podcasts ,  RSS ,  email Become a  patron  of TWiV! Links for this episo...

In COVID-19 clinical update #88, Dr. Griffin covers vaccine protection among US veterans, absence of long COVID in vaccinated who are infected, single dose of REGEN-COV monoclonal antibody cocktail provides long term protection, and Pfizer protease inhibitor Paxlovid is 89% effective in preventing hospitalization or death. Hosts:  Daniel Griffin and Vincent Racaniello Subscribe (free):  iTunes , ...

Greg Zuckerman joins TWiV to discuss his book that explores the race to produce COVID-19 vaccines, with insights into the companies, scientists, and executives involved and the rivalries, ambitions, ego, and a desire to save the world. Hosts:  Vincent Racaniello , Dickson Despommier , Rich Condi t , and Kathy Spindler Guest: Greg Zuckerman Click arrow to play Download  TWiV 824 (76 MB .mp3, 127 mi...

In COVID-19 clinical update #87, Dr. Griffin reviews PCR cycle threshold and RNA copy number, rapid antigen tests, hospitalization rate after infection or vaccination, allergies and vaccination, community transmission and viral RNA load, early treatment with sotrovimab, meta-analysis of tocilizumab treatment, antibiotic overuse, and guidelines on the use of anticoagulation for thromboprophylaxis....

In this special live-streamed episode of TWiV, Dr. Daniel Griffin fields questions on SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 from listeners. Hosts:  Daniel Griffin and Vincent Racaniello Subscribe (free):  iTunes ,  Google Podcasts ,  RSS ,  email Become a  patron  of TWiV! Intro music is by  Ronald Jenkees Send your questions for Dr. Griffin to daniel@microbe.tv

TWiV explores the properties of the spike glycoproteins of an influenza B virus discovered in the Wuhan spiny eel, and protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection one year after mRNA-1273 vaccination of nonhuman primates. Hosts:  Vincent Racaniello , Dickson Despommier , Rich Condi t , and Brianne Barker Subscribe (free):  iTunes ,  Google Podcasts ,  RSS ,  email Become a  patron  of TWiV! Links for...

In COVID-19 clinical update #86, Dr. Griffin discusses virologic features of infection in children, antibody tests should not be used to asses level of protection, test-to-stay programs in schools, FDA authorizes Moderna boosters, results of TOGETHER trial for fluvoxamine, statins and 28 day mortality, and cognitive function in patients. Hosts:  Daniel Griffin and Vincent Racaniello Subscribe (fre...

Rich reviews the history of smallpox and the discovery of variola viral genomes in ancient DNA from human remains throughout Northern Europe, which pushes back the earliest date of smallpox virus infection to ~600–1050 CE, overlapping the Viking Age. Hosts:  Vincent Racaniello , Alan Dove , Rich Condi t , Kathy Spindler , and Brianne Barker Subscribe (free):  iTunes ,  Google Podcasts ,  RSS ,  em...

A TWiV trio reveal the isolation of novel paramyxoviruses from rodents and bats in Arizona, and isolation of naive B cells from seronegative donors that produce germline encoded antibodies which engage the receptor binding domain of SARS-CoV-2, variants of concern, and related sarbecoviruses from bats. Hosts:  Vincent Racaniello , Rich Condi t , and Brianne Barker Subscribe (free):  iTunes ,  Goog...

In COVID-19 clinical update #85, Dr. Griffin reviews cases and deaths by vaccination status, mRNA vaccine effectiveness in 12-18 year olds, standard and extended dosing of mRNA vaccines, immune responses after vaccination, Moderna booster dose approved, giving monoclonals at home, no benefit from colchicine, and IFN does not help remdesivir. Hosts:  Daniel Griffin and Vincent Racaniello Subscribe...

TWiV explains how remdesivir inhibits the SARS-CoV-2 RNA polymerase: the drug is incorporated into the growing RNA chain and causes synthesis to stall when the drug clashes with an amino acid in the active site. Hosts:  Vincent Racaniello , Alan Dove , Rich Condi t , and Kathy Spindler Subscribe (free):  iTunes ,  Google Podcasts ,  RSS ,  email Become a  patron  of TWiV! Links for this episode Ho...

The TWiVers review phase 3 efficacy and safety results for the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine, effects on the neonatal immune system caused by maternal infection with SARS-CoV-2, and NHC, the metabolite of molnupiravir, causes mutations in cellular DNA. Hosts:  Vincent Racaniello , Dickson Despommier , Rich Condi t , Kathy Spindler , and Brianne Barker Subscribe (free):  iTunes ,  Google Podcasts ,  RSS...

In COVID-19 clinical update #84, Dr. Griffin discusses childrens' antibody response to vaccination, phase 3 results of Novavax vaccine, heterologous vaccination, antithrombotic therapy, EUA for molnupiravir, phase 3 results of AZD7442, serum ferritin levels and outcomes, heparin therapy, and WHO strategy for global vaccination. Hosts:  Daniel Griffin and Vincent Racaniello   Subscribe (free):  iTu...

David Tuller returns to TWiV to revisit his work to expose the methodological and ethical problems with the PACE trial, and the post-acute sequelae to SARS-CoV-2 infection, also known as long COVID. Host:  Vincent Racaniello Guest: David Tuller Subscribe (free):  iTunes ,  Google Podcasts ,  RSS ,  email Become a  patron  of TWiV! Links for this episode Call me David Tuller ( TWiV Special ) David...

Moshe and Ivet join TWiV to discuss their finding that MIS-C is a consequence of a superantigen in the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 that causes activation of a skewed population of T cell receptor bearing lymphocytes, leading to hyperinflammation. Hosts:  Vincent Racaniello , Dickson Despommier , Rich Condi t and Kathy Spindler Guests: Moshe Arditi and Ivet Behar Subscribe (free):  iTunes ,  Google...

In COVID-19 clinical update #83, Daniel Griffin discusses upcoming FDA discussions on vaccines, strategies to prevent transmission at youth camps, outbreaks at summer camps, impact of vaccination on transmission, AZD7442 request for EUA filed, EUA issued for home antigen test, phase 3 data on AZD1222 vaccine, 6 month effectiveness of Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, estimates of durability of immunity aga...

From the 2021 online meeting of the European Society for Clinical Virology, Vincent speaks with meeting speakers on COVID-19 vaccines, immunity, how countries responded to the pandemic, and how to prepare for the next one. Host:  Vincent Racaniello Guests: Sarah Gilbert , Florian Krammer , Fausto Baldanti , Thea Fischer , Ron Fouchier , and Catherine Moore Subscribe (free):  iTunes ,  Google Podca...

TWiV considers lessons learned from COVID-19 about emergency drug use during a pandemic, and selection of AAV capsids to produce vectors that efficiently deliver genes to muscle cells. Hosts:  Vincent Racaniello , Dickson Despommier , Alan Dove , Rich Condi t and Brianne Barker Subscribe (free):  iTunes ,  Google Podcasts ,  RSS ,  email Become a  patron  of TWiV! Links for this episode   Emergenc...

In COVID-19 clinical update #82, Daniel Griffin reviews vaccines for 5-12 years old, safety of a third vaccine dose, Oklahoma reinfection data, Regencov outcomes, Pfizer protease inhibitor, impact of Tocilizumab, and incidence of long COVID. Hosts:  Daniel Griffin and Vincent Racaniello Subscribe (free):  iTunes ,  Google Podcasts ,  RSS ,  email Become a  patron  of TWiV! Links for this episode D...