Virology
Reinfection with 2009 influenza H1N1
By Vincent Racaniello
In healthy individuals, the first encounter with a virus leads to a primary antibody response. When an infection occurs with the same or a similar virus, a rapid antibody response occurs that is called the secondary antibody response. Antibodies are critical for preventing many viral infections, including influenza. But reinfection may occur ...
TWiP 3: Trichinella spiralis
By Vincent Racaniello
Hosts: Vincent Racaniello and Dickson Despommier On episode 2 of the podcast "This Week in Parasitism", Vincent and Dick distinguish among intracellular and extracellular parasites, then discuss the history and general characteristics of Trichinella spiralis. [powerpress url="http://traffic.libsyn.com/twip/TWiV003.mp3"] Click the arrow above to play, or right-click to download Links for this ...
Influenza neuraminidase inhibitors work
By Vincent Racaniello
In the wake of a British Medical Journal article which concludes that Tamiflu has at best a modest effect, many readers have asked if influenza neuraminidase inhibitors function at all. If you'd like a good critique of this study, I suggest reading Paul Revere's analysis at Effect Measure. For our ...
Smallpox in New York City, 1947
By Vincent Racaniello
Millions of New Yorkers were immunized against smallpox within a few weeks in April 1947. The stimulus for this mass immunization was the importation of smallpox by a businessman who had acquired the disease during his travels. While we are in the middle of a massive influenza immunization campaign, it ...
TWiV 63: Melting pot virus
By Vincent Racaniello
Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Alan Dove, and Rich Condit On episode 63 of the podcast This Week in Virology, Vincent, Alan, and Rich talk about US government contract for freeze-dried smallpox vaccine, red squirrels in the UK threatened by poxvirus, and Marseillevirus, another DNA virus from amoebae built for comfort and ...