Information

Polyomavirus JC, multiple sclerosis, Tysabri, and an anti-malaria drug

11 Comments / Information / By Vincent Racaniello

Biogen has announced that an anti-malaria compound may be useful for treating a brain infection, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), that is an adverse effect of the company’s multiple sclerosis/Crohn’s disease drug Tysabri. How does JC virus fit into this story? Tysabri is the trade name for Natalizumab, a monoclonal antibody against the cellular protein alpha-4 integrin. …

Polyomavirus JC, multiple sclerosis, Tysabri, and an anti-malaria drug Read More »

TWiV #25: Viral evolution

Information / By Vincent Racaniello

In episode #25 of the podcast This Week in Virology, Vincent, Alan, and Luis Villarreal talk about rabies in Viet Nam and Angola, needle-stick infections with ebolavirus and West Nile virus, and viral evolution. Click the arrow above to play, or right-click to download TWiV #25 or subscribe in iTunes or by email.

The abundant and diverse viruses of the seas

20 Comments / Information / By Vincent Racaniello

What is the most abundant biological entity in the oceans? Viruses, of course! The quantity and diversity of viruses in the seas are staggering. Each milliliter of ocean water contains several million virus particles – a global total of 1030 virions! If lined up end to end, they would stretch 200 million light years into …

The abundant and diverse viruses of the seas Read More »

Viruses and the tree of life

51 Comments / Information / By Vincent Racaniello

Are viruses living entities? I don’t believe so, but it’s an engaging question for debate. On a recent episode of “This Week in Virology” we concluded that it’s somewhat of a futile argument because everyone has their own view; perhaps our time is better spent studying viruses than discussing whether or not they are alive. …

Viruses and the tree of life Read More »

Chikungunya: An exotic virus on the move

8 Comments / Information / By Vincent Racaniello

I recall learning about chikungunya1 virus when I was a Ph.D. student in the late 1970s – only because its exotic name made an impression on me. The virus, first identified in Tanzania in 1953, causes severe rashes and joint pains, but is rarely fatal, and the infection was considered benign. The outbreaks were massive, …

Chikungunya: An exotic virus on the move Read More »

Persistent viral infections

14 Comments / Information / By Vincent Racaniello

In contrast to acute viral infections, persistent infections last for long periods, and occur when the primary infection is not cleared by the adaptive immune response. Varicella-zoster virus, measles virus, HIV-1, and human cytomegalovirus are examples of viruses that cause typical persistent infections. A chronic infection is a type of persistent infection that is eventually …

Persistent viral infections Read More »

Start typing and press enter to search