There are 62 koalas in Japanese zoos, and 50 of them are infected with koala retrovirus (KoRV). Infection may lead to leukemia and lymphoma, which could negatively impact Koala populations. What is the origin of KoRV? The koala is native to Australia where they are found in eastern and southern coastal areas. All koalas in …
I’m a big fan of Mark Crislip’s work – two podcasts (Persiflagers Infectious Disease Puscast, Quack Cast) and two blogs (Rubor, Dolor Calor Tumor, Science Based Medicine Blog). They have all been Picks of the Week at TWiV. But beware, his work is not for everyone. In his own words: Ridicule, bewailing, and scorn are …
On episode #28 of the podcast “This Week in Virology”, Vincent, Dick, Alan, and Eric F. Donaldson discuss a new test for influenza H5N1, poliovirus in Minnesota, Koala retrovirus, batteries made from viruses, and SARS. Click the arrow above to play, or right-click to download TWiV #28 or subscribe in iTunes or by email.
Poliovirus has been isolated from a patient who died last month in Minnesota. Is this incident related to the outbreak of polio in an Amish community in the same state four years ago? Here are the facts about this case that have been released by the Minnesota Department of Health: the patient, an adult, had …
Last week the US Food and Drug Administration approved a rapid test for determining whether a person is infected with an H5N1 subtype of influenza virus. Why is it better than previously available influenza diagnostic assays? The format of the new assay, according to its developer, ArborVita, “is the familiar lateral-flow rapid antigen assay”. This …
The many human viral diseases that have crossed from other animal species – such as AIDS, Ebola, SARS, encephalitis and respiratory diesease caused by henipaviruses – demonstrate the pathogenic potential of the zoonotic pool. Are there also reverse zoonoses – diseases of humans that are transferred to other animal species? An example of a reverse …
Reverse zoonoses: Human viruses that infect other animals Read More »
