This Week in Virology

TWiV 1142: Clinical update with Dr. Daniel Griffin

August 24, 2024

In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin discusses global transmission of mpox, the different clades of the virus and associated pathogenesis, vaccination vs antiviral therapy against mpox and the US’s aid response for controlling the African outbreak before reviewing the recent statistics on SARS-CoV-2 infection, authorization and approval of updated COVID vaccines, the economic benefit of an annual COVID vaccine and if the first updated vaccines against XBB.1.5 were effective, where to find PEMGARDA, breakthrough infections when administering PEMGARDA, when to use convalescent plasma, what do when healthcare workers succumb to SARS-CoV-2 infection, and how long COVID differs in children and adolescents.

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mpox epidemic caused by monkeypox clade I in affected African countries (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control) 4:07
mpox in Pakistan (Reuters) 6:33
mpox imported into Pakistan (UNMC Global Center for Health Security)
mpox domesticated in Taiwan (Focus Taiwan: CAN English News) 6:51
clade IIb not Ib in Taiwan (bne Intellinews) 6:57
WHO: mpox public health emergency of global care (NY Times)
Vaccines didn’t turn back mpox…..people did (NY Times)
Deadlier mpox version in Thailand (NY Times) 7:19
Antiviral tecovirimat….not so much (NIH News) 9:33
What about vaccines? (Bavarian Nordic)
Invest or not to invest Barvaian Nordic pox vaccine manufacturer? (Yahoo! Finance)
US to support Africa’s mpox response (CIDRAP)
$35M to support mpox outbreak response in central and eastern Africa (USAID From the AMERICAN PEOPLE)
COVID-19 deaths (CDC)
COVID-19 national and regional trends (CDC) 17:01
COVID-19 variant tracker (CDC)
FDA approves and authorizes updated mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (FDA) 18:27
Novavax still working on updated COVID-19 vaccine (novavax)
COVID-19 variant update (CDC & IDSA)
Economic benefit of annual COVID-19 vaccination (JID)
Early COVID-19 XBB.1.5 vaccine effectiveness (Influenza and other respiratory viruses) 26:54
Uptake of COVID-19 vaccines and associated hospitalization due to COVID-19 in pregnancy (Vaccine) 29:42
Novavax heterologous booster demonstrates lower reactogenicity (JID) 30:22
Where to get pemgarda (Pemgarda)
EUA for the pre-exposure prophylaxis of COVID-19 (INVIYD)
Breakthrough from pemivibart/permgarda (bioRxiv)
CDC Quarantine guidelines (CDC)
Early phase of SARs-CoV-2 infection (COVID.gov)
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)
Long COVID differs in children and adolescents (JAMA Network) 37:09
Letters read on TWiV 1142 40:00
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 1141: Being green with the Red Queen

August 18, 2024

TWiV discusses the spread of monkeypox virus clade 1b in Africa, COVID drops to tenth leading cause of death in the US, response to detection of poliovirus in Gaza, mechanism of MIS-C after SARS-CoV-2 infection, neonatal Fc receptor is a pan-arterivirus receptor, and antiviral immunity in plants mediated by protein arginine methyltransferase 6.

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, Rich Condit, and Brianne Barker

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MicrobeTV Discord Server
Mpox widespread in Africa (CIDRAP) 5:53
Africa declares Mpox emergency (Science) 15:30
COVID drops to 10th leading cause of US deaths (MMWR) 16:21
Response to detection of poliovirus in Gaza (WHO) 23:35
Molecular mimicry in MIS-C (Nature) 24:41
Neonatal Fc receptor is pan-arterivirus receptor (Nat Comm) 27:35
Antiviral immunity in plants by protein arginine methytransferase 6 (Cell Host Micr) 50:07
Letters read on TWiV 1141 1:16:03
Timestamps by Jolene. Thanks!

Weekly Picks 1:28:32

Brianne – Kate Douglass: Olympian and Statistician (Swimming in Data)
Dickson – Women of recent note: Kamala Harris (Democratic Party presidential candidate); Katie Ladecky (10,000 meters); Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (400 meter hurdles); Gabby Thomas, Sha’Carri Richardson, Melissa Jefferson, and Twanisha Terry (4 x 100 relay); women’s basketball team
Rich – Texas State University Forensic Anthropology Research Facility
Vincent – Sea lion ‘camera crews’ capture new footage of ocean floor

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.

TWiV 1140: Clinical update with Dr. Daniel Griffin

August 17, 2024

In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin discusses the harms of perpetuating the lab leak hypothesis and the recent ACIP recommendations for the RSV vaccine for those individuals over 60, before reviewing the recent statistics on SARS-CoV-2 infection, treatment guidelines for the different phases of COVID, including vaccines, Pemgarda, early treatment with Paxlovid, remdesivir and molnupiravir, steroids at the right time, anticoagulation support, immune modulation in some cases, and a comprehensive definition of long COVID.

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Links for this episode

Measles transmission after secondary vaccination failure (Emerg Inf Dis) 2:03
Mpox public health emergency of international concern (WHO) 10:06
First case of new mpox strain outside of Africa (Reuters) 14:17
COVID-19 national trend (CDC) 15:46
COVID-19 deaths (CDC)
Where to get pemgarda (Pemgarda
CDC Quarantine guidelines (CDC)
Early phase of SARs-CoV-2 infection (COVID.gov)
Individual monoclonal antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 should be used (CID)
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)
Managing healthcare staffing shortages (CDC)
Steroids, dexamethasone at the right time (OFID)
Anticoagulation guidelines (hematology.org)
Long COVID science, research and policy (Nature Medicine) 27:35
Measurements of prior SARS-CoV-2 infection and postacute sequelae by the clinical laboratory (Annals of Internal Medicine) 29:13
Risk factors for long COVID syndrome in postmenopausal women with previous SARS-CoV-2 infections (Annals of Epidemiology) 35:25
New studies estimate long-COVID rates, identify risk factors (CIDRAP)
Monitoring long COVID via telemedicine (PLoS One) 38:00
Letters read on TWiV 1140 41:21
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 1139: Long COVID with Dr. Judith Bruchfeld

August 11, 2024

Vincent travels to the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm on 31 May 2024 to meet with Dr. Judith Bruchfeld and discuss her research on the etiology and treatment of Long COVID.

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello

Guest: Judith Bruchfeld

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Links for this episode

MicrobeTV Discord Server
Immune system perturbations in Long COVID (J Immunol)
Post-COVID immune system perturbations (J Immunol)
Systems disregulation in Long COVID (Sci Rep)
Clincal standards for diagnosing, treating, and preventing Long COVID (Intl J Tuberc Lung Dis)
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.

TWiV 1138: Clinical update with Dr. Daniel Griffin

August 10, 2024

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Links for this episode

Harms of the lab leak hypothesis (Journal of Virology) 2:39
Lab leak mania (PaulOffit, Substack)
This is a special message: pandemic started in nature! (TWiV)
RSV vaccine recommendations August 6 2024 (MMWR) 13:08
COVID-19 national trend (CDC) 20:53
COVID-19 deaths (CDC)
Where to get Pemgarda (Pemgarda)
CDC Quarantine guidelines (CDC)
Early phase of SARs-CoV-2 infection (COVID.gov)
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)
Managing healthcare staffing shortages (CDC)
Steroids, dexamethasone at the right time (OFID)
Anticoagulation guidelines (hematology.org)
Long COVID defined (NEJM) 25:17
Contribute to our Floating Doctors fundraiser 29:50
Lenacapavir on Puscast #60 35:13
Letters read on TWiV 1138 30:33
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 1137: Dengue is not BANAL

August 4, 2024

TWiV discusses a twice-yearly antiviral for prevention of AIDS, the WHO pandemic plan, West Nile resurgence in the US, the BANAL SARS-CoV-2 related viruses reproduce in human cells but do not transmit among animal hosts, and an amino acid change in dengue virus that enhances midgut replication in mosquitoes but reduces pathogenicity in humans.

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Alan Dove, Rich Condit, and Kathy Spindler

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Links for this episode

MicrobeTV Discord Server
PrEP with HIV-1 capsid inhibitor (NEJM) 6:19
WHO pandemic plan (pdf) 8:38
West Nile virus resurgence in US (NY Times) 11:01
Properties of BANAL SARS-CoV-2 like viruses (Nat Micro) 12:10
BANAL viruses on TWiV 809 15:56
Different effect of dengue virus amino acid change in humans and mosquitoes (Sci Transl Med) 37:06
Eng Ong Ooi on TWiV 633 37:43
Letters read on TWiV 1137 59:08
Timestamps by Jolene. Thanks!

Weekly Picks 1:16:33

Kathy – Using big data to improve traffic light timing
Rich – Dillo Dirt
Alan – Dueling Banjos on banjo and kora
Vincent – The world’s most expensive dinosaur and more

Listener Pick

Mike – Science through a glass darkly
Lisa – “On A Mission“ Season Four

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.

TWiV 1136: Clinical update with Dr. Daniel Griffin

August 3, 2024

In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin discusses how the pandemic may have affected our trust in physicians and hospitals and if waiting longer to make strain selection for the seasonal influenza vaccine would be advantageous before reviewing the recent statistics on SARS-CoV-2 infection, how different CVODI-19 vaccines effect the cardiovascular system, if the a third of either COVID-19 mRNA vaccine is effective, where to find PEMGARDA, if convalescent plasma, what do when healthcare workers succumb to SARS-CoV-2 infection, and the long term consequences of a SARS-CoV-2 infection on human health including incidences of diabetes, respiratory problems, hearing loss and maternal-fetal health.

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Links for this episode

In physicians and hospitals, we trust (JAMA Network) 2:50
Are there benefits for delaying seasonal influenza vaccine selections (JID) 9:05
Personal protective effect for wearing surgical face masks in public spaces (the BMJ) 14:02
COVID-19 national trend (CDC) 16:28
COVID-19 deaths (CDC)
Cardiovascular safety of different COVID-19 vaccination (Nature Comm) 18:12
Effectiveness of a third dose of mRNA-1273 versus BNT162b2 among older adults (Vaccine) 20:11
Where to get pemgarda (Pemgarda)
CDC Quarantine guidelines (CDC)
Early phase of SARs-CoV-2 infection (COVID.gov)
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)
Managing healthcare staffing shortages (CDC)
Steroids, dexamethasone at the right time (OFID)
Anticoagulation guidelines (hematology.org)
Incidence of diabetes after SARS-CoV-2 infection (The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology) 23:30
Post-COVID-19 respiratory sequelae two years after hospitalization (The Lancet Regional Health) 25:49
Incidence of hearing loss following COVID-19 among young adults (eClinical Medicine) 28:44
The effect of long-term COVID-19 infection on maternal and fetal complications (Scientific Reports) 31:05
Contribute to our Floating Doctors fundraiser 32:58
Letters read on TWiV 1136 33:38
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 1135: Resistance is not always futile

July 28, 2024

TWiV reviews whats going on with measles and its global resurgence, poliovirus found in Gaza, vaccine hesitancy in a community, 14 year old dies of Nipah, selection of SARS-CoV-2 viruses resistant to nirmatrelvir, and protective but non-neutralizing antibodies from survivors of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus.

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, Alan Dove, Brianne Barker, and Angela Mingarelli

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Weekly Picks 1:35:36

Angela – Animal research is not always king
Brianne – Why the US has more tornadoes than any other country
Dickson – Earth’s core has slowed so much it’s moving backward
Alan – Article about the Smithsonian’s forensic ornithology lab, led by Carla Dove
Vincent – Seventh patient ‘cured’ of HIV: why scientists are excited

Listener Pick

Charles – An Inquiry into Morals by Robert M. Pirsig and My Beloved Monster by Caleb Carr

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.

TWiV 1134: Clinical update with Dr. Daniel Griffin

July 27, 2024

In his weekly clinical update, Dr. Griffin discusses Merck’s RSV preventative monoclonal antibody Clesrovimab before reviewing the recent statistics on SARS-CoV-2 infection, if previous SARS-COV-2 infections predict the outcome of subsequent infections, if using COVID rapid diagnostic tests is cost effective, if the protein based vaccine NVX-CoV2327 elicits a durable immune response, if combination treatment of vaccine and antiviral drugs effectively protect against hospitalization, where to find PEMGARDA, what do when healthcare workers succumb to SARS-CoV-2 infection, and how COVID-19 may alter the cognitive trajectories of older patients.

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Links for this episode

Clesrovimab, RSV preventative monoclonal antibody for infants (Merck) 2:44
COVID-19 national trend (CDC) 4:11
COVID-19 deaths (CDC)
Characterizing SARS-CoV-2 reinfections and long COVID (Communications Medicine) 6:14
Cost-effectiveness of COVID rapid diagnostic tests (PLoS Medicine) 12:40
NVX-CoV2373 against pre-Delta and Delta strains of COVID-19 little evidence of waning immune response (CID) 15:53
Combined Protection of Vaccination and Nirmatrelvir-Ritonavir Against Hospitalization (CID) 18:40
Pemgarda infusion center locator (Pemgarda)
Respiratory virus guidance (CDC)
Early phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID.gov)
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 do when your healthcare provider is infected with SARS-CoV-2 (CDC)
Managing healthcare staffing shortages (CDC)
Steroids, dexamethasone at the right time (OFID)
Anticoagulation guidelines (hematology.org)
Cognitive trajectories in older survivors of COVID-19 up to 2.5 years post-infection (Nature Aging) 22:57
Contribute to our Floating Doctors fundraiser 26:15
Letters read on TWiV 1134 26:40
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 1133: Gain of function makes us safer

July 21, 2024

TWiV reviews cases of measles in Brooklyn NY and Washington DC, stalling of global childhood vaccination, licenses H5N1 vaccines protect against circulating strains, viruses traveling without passports. OC43 SARS-CoV- 2 spike replacement virus as an improved BSL-2 proxy virus for SARS-CoV-2 neutralization assays, and deep mutational scanning reveals functional constraints and antibody-escape potential of Lassa virus glycoprotein complex.