1,138 episodes

TWiV is a weekly netcast about viruses - the kind that make you sick. Brought to you by four university professors and a science writer.

This Week in Virology Vincent Racaniello

    • Science
    • 4.7 • 182 Ratings

TWiV is a weekly netcast about viruses - the kind that make you sick. Brought to you by four university professors and a science writer.

    Influenza virus H5N1 in cows' milk with Richard Webby

    Influenza virus H5N1 in cows' milk with Richard Webby

    Richard Webby joins TWiV to review the history of avian H5N1 influenza virus, the recent change in epidemiological patterns, infection of dairy cattle in the US, and the risk of an outbreak in humans.
    Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Alan Dove, and Brianne Barker
    Guest: Richard Webby
    Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS, email
    Become a patron of TWiV!
    Links for this episode MicrobeTV Discord Server MicrobeTV store at Cafepress Webby research laboratory H5N1 virus in dairy cattle and cats (Emerg Inf Dis) Emergence of H5N1 virus in dairy cattle (bioRxiv) Spillover potential of H9N2 bat virus (Nat Commun and TWiV 1111) Letters read on TWiV 1113 Timestamps by Jolene. Thanks! Weekly Picks Brianne – The Little Researcher (from Bioss)
    Alan – Global Polio Eradication Initiative’s OPV switch was “unqualified failure.”
    Vincent – Errant Science
    Listener Picks Moragh – Paper Cuts Podcast
    Intro music is by Ronald Jenkees
    Send your virology questions and comments to twiv@microbe.tv

    • 1 hr 21 min
    Clinical update with Dr. Daniel Griffin

    Clinical update with Dr. Daniel Griffin

    In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin deep dives into infections of dairy cattle with high pathogenic influenza H5N1, how long virus has been circulating and if known anti-influenza antivirals can reduce secondary attack rates, before reviewing the recent statistics on SARS-CoV-2 infection, the guidelines for spring administration of COVID vaccines boosters, whether COVID booster takes associates with long COVID prevalence, discusses the emergency use application of a pre-exposure prophylactic, if administration of oral antiviral therapies can prevent the onset of post-acute sequelae following SARS-CoV-2 infection, continues to dispel the myth of viral rebound, when to use steroids and the benefits of convalescent plasma, what do when healthcare workers succumb to SARS-CoV-2 infection, compares and contrasts the cognitive profile in multiple sclerosis and post-COVID, exercise intolerance following SARS-CoV-2 infection and the epidemiology of the pandemic in a Kenyan refugee camp. For more information about this body of work, listen to TWiV 1088.
    Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS, email
    Become a patron of TWiV!
    Links for this episode Technical reports on high path avian influenza (CDC) High path cow influenza H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b (Emerging Infectious Diseases) Cow flu flying around for 4 months (CNN) Interstate commerce: high path avian influenza in dairy cattle (bioRxiv) Oseltamivir and baloxavir marboxil treatment for influenza in household index cases (Influenza and other respiratory viruses) COVID-19 national trend (CDC) COVID-19 deaths (CDC) Spring vaccine advice (CIDRAP) Older adult spring booster available (CDC) Advisory committee for immunization practices slides (CDC) Advisory committee for immunization practices spring 2024 COVID-19 boosters (CDC) EUA for pemgarda (FDA) CDC Quarantine guidelines (CDC) NIH COVID-19 treatment guidelines (NIH) Infectious Disease Society guidelines for treatment and management (IDSociety) Overuse ofantibiotics for COVID-19: a viral disease (European Soc Clin Micro Inf Dis) Molnupiravir safety and efficacy (JMV) Convalescent plasma recommendation for immunocompromised (IDSociety) Outpatient treatment with concomitant vaccine-boosted convalescent plasma (mBio) Updated respiratory virus guidances (CDC) What do when your heathcare provider is infected with SARS-CoV-2 (CDC) Managing healthcare staffing shortages (CDC) Antiviral effect of metformin on SARS-CoV-2 viral load (CID) Nirmatrelvir-ritonavir to prevent post-acute sequelae and mortality in SARS-CoV-2 hospitalized patients (Lancet Infectious Diseases) Oral antivirals for acute and post-acute sequelae from SARS-CoV-2 infection (Lancet Infectious Diseases) Nirmatrelvir-ritonavir for prevention of COVID-19 related hospitalization (American Journal of Therapeutics) Nirmatrelvir-ritonavir effectiveness (American Therapeutics) Steroids,dexamethasone at the right time (OFID) Anticoagulation guidelines (hematology.org) Long COVID evidence based review TWiV shout out (TWiV 1088) Cognitive profile in multiple sclerosis and post-COVID (Scientific reports) Exercise intolerance in long COVID (American Journal of Medicine) Epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in the Kakuma refugee camp, Kenya (Emergining Infectious Diseases) Rohingya refugees (USA for UNHCR) Contribute to our Floating Doctors fundraiser Letters read on TWiV 1112 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

    • 46 min
    Taming of the flu

    Taming of the flu

    TWiV reviews viruses in the news: Chinese scientist who released the SARS-CoV-2 genome sequence sleeps in the street, a case of measles in Haifa, spread of waterborne infectious diseases in Gaza, interstate spread of avian influenza A(H5N1) in dairy cattle, and an orangutan heals himself with medicinal plants, followed by identification of a cell receptor for parechoviruses, and blockade of necroptosis prevents lung injury in severe influenza.
    Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, and Alan Dove
    Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS, email
    Become a patron of TWiV!
    Links for this episode MicrobeTV Discord Server MicrobeTV store at Cafepress Become a member of ASV (asv.org) The New City by Dickson Despommier (blog post) International Conference on Pandemic Preparedness Chinese virologist sleeps on street (Nature) Measles in Haifa (Jerusalem Post) Waterborne illness spreads in Gaza (Reuters) Interstate spread of H5N1 virus in dairy cattle (bioRxiv) Orangutan uses medicinal plants (Science) Parechovirus cell receptor identified (Nat Comm) Necroptosis blockade prevents lung injury in influenza (Nature) Necroptosis, pyroptosis and apoptosis (Cell Mol Immunol) Letters read on TWiV 1111 Timestamps by Jolene. Thanks! Weekly Picks Dickson – NASA’s Webb Finds Ethanol, Other Icy Ingredients for Worlds
    Alan – MyClimate.org calculators
    Vincent – Twenty-Five Lectures in Virology 2024
    Listener Picks Alan – NPR story and interactive quiz on pandemic respiratory disease transmission
    Az – H5N1 Avian Flu in Mammals
    Intro music is by Ronald Jenkees
    Send your virology questions and comments to twiv@microbe.tv

    • 1 hr 40 min
    Clinical update with Dr. Daniel Griffin

    Clinical update with Dr. Daniel Griffin

    In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin begins with discussing if the antibiotic neomycin is really a pan-antiviral countermeasure, then reviews the recent statistics on SARS-CoV-2 infection before deep diving into if shedding and the rapid antigen test results correlate, the guidelines for spring administration of COVID vaccines boosters, whether COVID booster associates with the long COVID prevalence, discusses the emergency use application of a pre-exposure prophylactic, revised guidelines for how to treat respiratory viral infection guidelines by the CDC, the caveats for improper use of antibiotics to treat SARS-CoV-2 (a viral infection), continues to dispel the myth of viral rebound, when to use steroids and the benefits of convalescent plasma, what do when healthcare workers succumb to SARS-CoV-2 infection, if administration of an anti-immunoglobulin E monoclonal antibody can be used for COVID-19 treatment, if inhibiting T-cell activation will reduce secretion and production of inflammatory cytokines including IL-6, if changes in the gut microbiome associate with post -acute COVID-19 syndrome, and the pulmonary and neurologic determinants of long COVID-19 such as the presence of neurofilament light chain in plasma. For more information about this body of work, listen to TWiV 1088.
    Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS, email
    Become a patron of TWiV!
    Links for this episode Intranasal antibiotic evokes antiviral response (PNAS) COVID-19 national trend (CDC) COVID-19 deaths (CDC) SARS-CoV-2 shedding vs rapid antigen test performance (MMWR) Spring vaccineadvice (CIDRAP) Older adult spring booster available (CDC) Advisory committee for immunization practices slides (CDC) Advisory committee for immunization practices spring 2024 COVID-19 boosters (CDC) COVID-19 booster take: cross-sectional study (Vaccine) EUA for pemgarda (FDA) CDC Quarantine guidelines (CDC) NIH COVID-19 treatment guidelines (NIH) Infectious Disease Society guidelines for treatment and management (IDSociety) Overuse ofantibiotics for COVID-19: a viral disease (European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases) Can you believe that antibiotics are ineffective against a viral illness (NKT Institute) Molnupiravir safety and efficacy (JMV) Convalescent plasma recommendation for immunocompromised (IDSociety) Outpatient treatment with concomitant vaccine-boosted convalescent plasma (mBio) Updated respiratory virus guidances (CDC) What do when your heathcare provider is infected with SARS-CoV-2 (CDC) Managing healthcare staffing shortages (CDC) Steroids,dexamethasone at the right time (OFID) Anticoagulation guidelines (hematology.org) Immunologic antiviral therapy with omalizumab (OFID) Abatacept pharmacokinetics and exposure response (JAMA Network Open) Long COVID evidence based review TWiV shout out (TWiV 1088) Gut microbiome and post-acute COVID-19 syndrome, ugh? (Cell Host and Microbe) Pulmonary long COVID (JCI Insight) Neurofilament light chain in long COVID019 neurocognitive symptoms (Molecular Psychiatry) Contribute to our Floating Doctors fundraiser Letters read on TWiV 1110 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

    • 51 min
    A protein flew out and a bat flu in

    A protein flew out and a bat flu in

    TWiV reviews avian H5N1 influenza virus in the US, measles at highest levels in England, positive selection underlies repeated knockout of ORF8 in SARS-CoV-2 evolution, and cross-species spill-over potential of the H9N2 bat influenza A virus.
    Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, and Alan Dove
    Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS, email
    Become a patron of TWiV!
    Links for this episode MicrobeTV Discord Server MicrobeTV store at Cafepress Become a member of ASV (asv.org) The New City by Dickson Despommier (blog post) International Conference on Pandemic Preparedness Bird flu in humans (NY Times) H5N1 genome sequences (USDA) Measles cases and outbreaks (CDC) Latest measles statistics (UK) Positive selection underlies ORF8 loss (Nat Comm) Spillover potential of bat H9N2 influenza virus (Nat Comm) Letters read on TWiV 1109 Timestamps by Jolene. Thanks! Weekly Picks Dickson – Journey to the Andromeda Galaxy, Highest jump in human history
    Alan – What Does a Scientist Look Like? photo gallery by Nature, and public display in London
    Vincent – The Campus-Left Occupation That Broke Higher Education, I’m a Columbia Professor. The Protests on my Campus are not Justice
    Listener Picks David – Blue Angels unbelievable footage
    Intro music is by Ronald Jenkees
    Send your virology questions and comments to twiv@microbe.tv

    • 1 hr 39 min
    Clinical update with Dr. Daniel Griffin

    Clinical update with Dr. Daniel Griffin

    In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin reviews recent statistics on the circulation of measles, and H51 influenza infection of birds, poultry and cows before and SARS-CoV-2 circulation, before discussing if the original monovalent SARS-CoV-2 vaccine was effective in children and adolescents, how to use words to properly describe respiratory pathogens the guidelines for spring administration of COVID vaccines boosters, discusses the emergency use application of a pre-exposure prophylactic, revised guidelines for how to treat respiratory viral infection guidelines by the CDC, continues to dispel the myth of viral rebound, revised guidelines SARS-CoV-2 treatment and how to treat respiratory viral infections, when to use steroids and the benefits of convalescent plasma, what do when healthcare workers succumb to SARS-CoV-2 infection, if administration of remdesivir reduces mortality, long COVID, persistence of virus infection during long COVID and it prevalence. For more information about this body of work, listen to TWiV 1088.
    Subscribe (free): Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RSS, email
    Become a patron of TWiV!
    Links for this episode Measles tracking (CDC) Cows, chickens and birds H5N1….oh, my (USDA) Evolution of circulating H5N1 (CIDRAP) COVID-19 national trend (CDC) COVID-19 deaths (CDC) Original monovalent mRNA vaccine effectiveness in children and adolescents (MMWR) Updated terminology for pathogens transmitted through the air (WHO) Are these really better definitions for pathogens transmitted through the air (NY Times) Pharmaceuticals for diseases spread through the air (Reuters) Older adult spring booster available (CDC) Advisory committee for immunization practices slides (CDC) Advisory committee for immunization practices spring 2024 COVID-19 boosters (CDC) EUA for pemgarda (FDA) CDC Quarantine guidelines (CDC) NIH COVID-19 treatment guidelines (NIH) Infectious Disease Society guidelines for treatment and management (IDSociety) WHO vs national guidelines for COVID-19 therapeutics (BMJ) COVID-19 and the bay of pigs (UNC) Molnupiravir safety and efficacy (JMV) Convalescent plasma recommendation for immunocompromised (IDSociety) Outpatient treatment with concomitant vaccine-boosted convalescent plasma (mBio) Updated respiratory virus guidances (CDC) What do when your heathcare provider is infected with SARS-CoV-2 (CDC) Managing healthcare staffing shortages (CDC) Steroids,dexamethasone at the right time (OFID) Anticoagulation guidelines (hematology.org) Remdesivir associated with reduced mortality of hospitalized oxygenated patients (OFID) Long COVID evidence based review TWiV shout out (TWiV 1088) Long COVID prevalence among adults (MMWR) Persistence of SARS-CoV-2 infection (Lancet Infectious Diseases) More questions, new answers long COVID (Lancet Infectious Diseases) Contribute to our ASTMH fundraiser at PWB Letters read on TWiV 1108 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

    • 43 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
182 Ratings

182 Ratings

Soujiya2 ,

I’m grateful

As always a great and entertaining conversation between flexible and informed thinkers. Just listened to the episode with Paul Offit whose book I’m currently reading. Both realistically saddening and hopeful in that there are many people working hard on educating as many as they can reach. Thanks for what you do.

rbrtsgry ,

Thanks!

I love the hosts - Banter, insights, picks…I Listen to every episode. I’m able to recognize virology lingo, which makes me feel smart, even if I don’t remember how it all fits together.

biggus dickis69 ,

Episode 1017. Facts vs lying by omission on lab leak hypothesis.

I am not a virologist. However, I am very ware of the scientific method.

This episode really exposes how NOT to prove your point that SARS COV-2 was not a lab leak.

One guest was not prepared or simply had her facts wrong. I heard her mention “bat guano was most likely a low risk.” However, much of the leaked documentation available to anyone who wants to read it states that rectal swabs and serum was taken from bats.

Additionally, you had one person admittedly play the devils advocate and bring up several “points the lab leakers use.” He seemed embarrassed to even bring this up. Maybe get some people in your field that can seriously have a debate that really believe what they say.

Also, there are emails from some very prominent French virologists going back and forth explaining the concerns with safety and poor compliance with following safety protocols.

Also, at one point one guest said that “engineering viruses is extremely difficult.” However, it is well established that Corona viruses have been engineered previously difficult or not.

The furin cleavage site has already been added to other viruses and your guests poopooed this fact which is well documented. And furthermore you bring up the most Baird claims from the “lab leakers” including the HIV stuff. This sounds clearly like you bring the most absurd crap to prove that anyone who has other beliefs are homophobes or xenophobic.

Also, when you say that “the lab leakers” have no proof. Neither do the esteemed well learn-Ed docs on your show. You people aren’t true scientists as you appear to just throw out concerns and beliefs from many others in your field as crackpots. No debate. No attempt to validate your hypothesis.

Dr. Daszac clearly was concerned about losing funding and strong armed many of your colleagues to disavow the idea that this virus could have leaked from a lab. Interestingly, many of these people had been texting Dr. Fauci with concerns the virus appeared engineered. And within days these same scientists (who apparently are simpletons to the the TWIV squad) suddenly within 4 days signed the Lancet letter telling us average joes and average Joe virologists and epidemiologists (we just set around in trailer parks unless we are at a trump rally or shopping at Walmart for guns ) how questioning the Chinese makes us racist.

I am educated and have a MS in a science based field. I know how the scientific method works. You and your team literally threw your colleagues under the bus. No debate. You all should know better that the question of where this virus came from is very relevant to prevent the next one.

You want to get the politicians to bring the heat level down on this very important research? Have an honest debate and present your evidence to those virologists and epidemiologists who disagree. Or not and get all the funding cancelled.

The TWIV team discounts the department of energy, the FBI, MI6, and about 17 other intelligence agencies from other countries.

TWIV, your guests on this episode, Daszac, Rasmussen, are either much much smarter than everyone else or really the smartest idiots in the room.

Sincerely
The Dude

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