Some evidence suggests that cigarette smokers are more likely to develop severe COVID-19 disease than non-smokers. Chronic smoke exposure appears to trigger the expansion of cell types in the respiratory tract that produce ACE2, the receptor for SARS-CoV-2. This observation provides a plausible hypothesis to explain why cigarette smokers might ...

Vincent, Kathy and Rich discuss COVID-19 research paper overload, Moderna's mRNA vaccine Phase I results, increase of ACE2 RNA by cigarette smoke, and answer listener questions. Click arrow to play Download TWiV 616 (62 MB .mp3, 103 min) Subscribe (free): iTunes, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Show notes at microbe.tv/twiv

Nels and Vincent continue their discussion of SARS-CoV-2 evolution, including understanding recurrent mutations in the viral genome, and the potential for re-emergence of the virus from an animal reservoir. Click arrow to play Download TWiEVO 56 (53 MB .mp3, 88 min) Subscribe (free): iTunes, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiEVO Show notes at ...

Vincent speaks with Peter Daszak, President of EcoHealth Alliance, a global nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting wildlife and public health from the emergence of disease. Click arrow to play Download TWiV 615 (22 MB .mp3, 36 min) Subscribe (free): iTunes, Google Podcasts, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Show notes at microbe.tv/twiv

Daniel Griffin provides a clinical update on COVID-19, then we review results showing requirement for the furin site in the SARS-CoV-2 spike for replication, US state vaccine exemptions, concerns with a rapid diagnostic test, and answers to listener questions. Click arrow to play Download TWiV 614 (100 MB .mp3, 167 min) ...