The TWiV team reviews the observation that infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant causes reduced reproduction and pathogenesis in mice and hamsters. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Dickson Despommier , Rich Condit , Brianne Barker , and Amy Rosenfeld Subscribe (free): iTunes , Google Podcasts , RSS , email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Vaccine Town Hall ( ASV ) Travel Award Applications ( ASV ) Omicron infection in mice and hamsters (Res Square) Letters read on TWiV 851 Time...
Jan 09, 2022•1 hr 51 min•Ep. 851
In COVID-19 clinical update #96, Daniel Griffin reviews Omicron in South Africa, rapid antigen tests, viral coinfections, isolation and quarantine, saliva preferred for Omicron, risk factors for severe disease in vaccinated, Paxlovid dosing, and long COVID. Subscribe (free): iTunes , Google Podcasts , RSS , email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Variant proportions (CDC) Omicron in South Africa (JAMA) Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 (Ann Int Med) Diagnostics for COVID-19 (Lancet) Compa...
Jan 08, 2022•56 min•Ep. 850
TWiV kicks off 2022 with a review of the virology highlights of 2021, from three virologists, one immunologist, a science writer, and a partridge in a pear tree. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Alan Dove , Rich Condit , Kathy Spindler , and Brianne Barker Subscribe (free): iTunes , Google Podcasts , RSS , email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode COVID vaccines: TWiV 708, 715, 718, 844 Non-CoV papers: TWiV 763 , 784 , 819 , 822 , 740 , 848 Immune correlates of protection: TWiV 791, 799, ...
Jan 07, 2022•2 hr 4 min•Ep. 849
For the final episode of 2021, TWiV reviews an experimental infectious attenuated Lassa fever vaccine based on a codon-deoptimized glycoprotein gene, and SARS-CoV-2 infection of free-ranging white-tailed deer. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Dickson Despommier , Alan Dove , Kathy Spindler , and Brianne Barker Subscribe (free): iTunes , Google Podcasts , RSS , email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Codon-deoptimized Lassa fever vaccine (mBio) Attenuation of dengue virus by codon deopti...
Jan 02, 2022•1 hr 47 min•Ep. 847
In COVID-19 clinical update #95, Daniel Griffin discusses new CDC guidelines for isolation and quarantine, EUA for Molnupiravir, children and COVID, vaccine safety in 5-11 year olds, Omicron outbreaks in Nebraska and Denmark, Baylor's COVID vaccine, and COVID-OUT for ivermectin. Subscribe (free): iTunes , Google Podcasts , RSS , email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Isolation and quarantine guidance (CDC) EUA for Molnupiravir (FDA) Children and COVID state data (AAP) Vaccine safe...
Jan 01, 2022•37 min•Ep. 848
TWiV explores the impact of the intestinal virome on seroconversion after rotavirus vaccination, and implications of the ability of the SARS-CoV-2 beta variant to infect wild-type laboratory mice. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Alan Dove , Rich Condit , Kathy Spindler , and Brianne Barker Subscribe (free): iTunes , Google Podcasts , RSS , email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Impact of enteric virome on rotavirus vaccine (Cell Host Micr) Beta variant infects wild type mice (Sig Tran...
Dec 26, 2021•1 hr 39 min•Ep. 846
In COVID-19 clinical update #94, Daniel Griffin reviews the FDA EUA for Paxlovid, test to stay in school, immunity after infection, variants and therapeutics, quarantine and isolation guidelines, Molnupiravir in non-hospitalized patients, and convalescent serum in outpatients. Hosts: Daniel Griffin and Vincent Racaniello Subscribe (free): iTunes , Google Podcasts , RSS , email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode FDA EUA for Paxlovid ( pdf ) Children and COVID-19 ( pdf ) Evaluation of...
Dec 25, 2021•48 min•Ep. 845
Paul Offit returns to TWiV to discuss new CDC guidance on J&J vaccine, why children should be immunized against COVID-19, and whether or not booster doses are scientifically justified. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Dickson Despommier , and Brianne Barker Guest: Paul Offit Subscribe (free): iTunes , Google Podcasts , RSS , email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Paul Offit on TWiV 720 Are COVID-19 vaccine boosters needed? (virology blog) Letters read on TWiV 844 Timestamps by Jole...
Dec 19, 2021•1 hr 42 min•Ep. 844
In COVID-19 clinical update #93, Dr. Griffin summarizes Omicron fitness, S-gene target failure, monoclonal efficacy against Omicron, vaccination, monoclonals, and disease in children, persistence of memory B cells in the elderly, infection and vaccine induced immunity, protection against severe illness and death by a third mRNA vaccine dose, high flow oxygen versus intubation, and therapeutic anticoagulation. Hosts: Daniel Griffin and Vincent Racaniello Subscribe (free): iTunes , Google Podcasts...
Dec 18, 2021•43 min•Ep. 843
TWiV reviews the results of serum neutralization assays which show that a third vaccine dose restores neutralization of the Omicron variant, and interaction of platelet factor 4 with the adenovirus capsid, suggesting a mechanism for thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Kathy Spindler , and Brianne Barker Subscribe (free): iTunes , Google Podcasts , RSS , email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Third vaccine dose improves Omicron neutralization (med...
Dec 16, 2021•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 842
TWiV provides an update on immunity to Omicron, results of a randomized controlled trial of face masks, and a study of correlates of protection against respiratory syncytial virus infection in the upper and lower respiratory tract of nonhuman primates. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Dickson Despommier , Rich Condit , and Amy Rosenfeld Subscribe (free): iTunes , Google Podcasts , RSS , email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Omicron escape from serum antibodies ( pdf ) Pfizer/BioNTech ...
Dec 12, 2021•1 hr 45 min•Ep. 841
In COVID-19 clinical update #92, Dr. Griffin reviews emerging data on the Omicron variant, much information about monoclonal antibody treatment, including expansion of EUA for Lilly’s cocktail, FDA EUA for pre-exposure prophylaxis, outcomes after treatment, and investigation of subcutaneous or intramuscular administration; effect of adding immunomodulatory agents to usual care on thromboembolic events, and long COVID following infection in previously vaccinated individuals. Hosts: Daniel Griffin...
Dec 11, 2021•46 min•Ep. 840
TWiV reviews the impact of vaccination on SARS-CoV-2, the latest information on Omicron, West Nile virus transmission by organ transplantation, and why a 16 week interval between doses of BNT162b2 vaccine is better than a shorter interval. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Alan Dove , Rich Condit , and Kathy Spindler Subscribe (free): iTunes , Google Podcasts , RSS , email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Coronavirus in the US (NY Times) Omicron variant (NY Times) West Nile virus transm...
Dec 09, 2021•1 hr 47 min•Ep. 839
The New York City Virus Hunters join TWiV to reveal how local students engage in safe virus surveillance and conduct science research right in their neighborhoods, followed by an update on variant of concern Omicron. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Dickson Despommier , Rich Condit , and Brianne Barker Guests: Teresa Bautista, Isabel Francisco, Jesus Gonzales, Joel Gonzalez, Florian Krammer , and Christine Marizzi , Subscribe (free): iTunes , Google Podcasts , RSS , email Become a patron of TWiV! Lin...
Dec 05, 2021•1 hr 40 min•Ep. 838
In COVID-19 clinical update #91, Dr. Griffin discusses final results of molnupiravir trial, Omicron variant of concern, outcomes in B-cell depleted patients, recovery in T-cell depleted macaques, peptide for induction of T cell immunity, high respiratory viral RNA loads in infants, IgA and T cells transferred to breast milk after vaccination, sensitivity and specificity of ID NOW, post-acute sequelae at 12 months, disease in low and middle income countries. Hosts: Daniel Griffin and Vincent Raca...
Dec 04, 2021•39 min•Ep. 837
TWiV reveals all that we know so far about the variant of concern B.1.1.529, also called Omicron, and describes a study on the ability of the alpha, beta, and delta variants to reproduce in cells in culture and induce membrane fusion. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Alan Dove , Kathy Spindler , and Brianne Barker Subscribe (free): iTunes , Google Podcasts , RSS , email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Omicron genome changes (Covariants) Omicron shared changes with other variants (Cova...
Dec 02, 2021•1 hr 51 min•Ep. 836
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 Podcasts , RSS , email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode COVID-19 vaccines for children (Scien...
Nov 28, 2021•1 hr 39 min•Ep. 835
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. Hosts: Daniel Griffin and Vincent Racaniello Subscribe (free): iTunes , Google Podcasts , RSS , email B...
Nov 27, 2021•41 min•Ep. 834
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) Herpesviruses assimilate kinesin (Nature) Letters read on TWiV 833 Timestamps by Jolene . Thanks! Weekly Picks Ka...
Nov 25, 2021•1 hr 32 min•Ep. 833
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 this episode Smallpox vials contain vaccinia virus (6abc.com) European re-emergence of enterovirus D68 (Euros...
Nov 21, 2021•1 hr 52 min•Ep. 832
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 Subscribe (free): iTunes , Google Podcasts , RSS , email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode S...
Nov 20, 2021•41 min•Ep. 831
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. Hosts: Vincent Racaniello , Alan Dove , Rich Condi t , and Kathy Spindler Click arrow to play Download ...
Nov 18, 2021•2 hr 8 min•Ep. 830
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 episode How SARS-CoV-2 attacks olfactory mucosa (Cell) SARS-CoV-2-specific stem cell memory T cells after mRNA v...
Nov 14, 2021•1 hr 44 min•Ep. 829
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 , Google Podcasts , RSS , email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Vaccine protection of US ...
Nov 13, 2021•33 min•Ep. 828
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 min) Subscribe (free): iTunes , Google Podcasts , RSS , email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this ep...
Nov 07, 2021•1 hr 52 min•Ep. 827
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. Hosts: Daniel Griffin and Vincent Racaniello Subscribe (free): iTunes , Google Podcasts , RSS , emai...
Nov 06, 2021•49 min•Ep. 826
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 [email protected]...
Nov 01, 2021•58 min•Ep. 825
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 this episode HA and NA of Wuhan spiny eel influenza virus (Nat Comm) Protection one year after mRNA-1273 va...
Oct 31, 2021•2 hr 7 min•Ep. 824
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 (free): iTunes , Google Podcasts , RSS , email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode 115,000 he...
Oct 30, 2021•47 min•Ep. 823
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 , email Become a patron of TWiV! Links for this episode Variola virus genomes from Viking era (Science) Hidde...
Oct 28, 2021•2 hr 1 min•Ep. 822
