TWiV 33: Live in Philly

Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Alan Dove, Dick Despommier, and Raul Andino

Vincent, Alan, Dick, and Raul Andino recorded TWiV live at the ASM General Meeting in Philadelphia, where they discussed increased arterial blood pressure caused by cytomegalovirus infection, restriction of influenza replication at low temperature by the avian viral glycoproteins, first isolation of West Nile virus in Pennsylvania, and current status of influenza.

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Click the arrow above to play, or right-click to download TWiV #33 (51 MB .mp3, 74 minutes)

Links for this episode:

Cytomegalovirus infection causes an increase of arterial blood pressure

Avian influenza virus glycoproteins restrict virus replication at low temperature

First West Nile virus isolation of the year in PA

CDC press release of 18 May 2009

Glaxo’s influenza vaccine with adjuvant

NY Times article on Guillain-Barré and a more scientific view

Weekly Science Picks
Dick – National Museum of the History of Science and Medicine, Leiden
Alan – Beginning Mac OS X Programming
Vincent – Vaccinated by Paul Offit
Raul – HubbleSite

Thanks to Chris Condayan and ASM for making TWiV live possible. Recorded by Chris Condayan and Ray Ortega.

Send your virology questions and comments (email or mp3 file) to twiv@twiv.tv

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Brent

Hi Guys, excellent podcast for IT business analyst. Just wondering about flu/cold transmission in the household. Would sharing toothpaste be a valid way to transmit. I figure it would ie mouth to brush, brush to toothpaste tube, next person has toothpaste tube to brush, brush to mouth. or it this paranoia . or does tooth paste kill it? interesting

thanks
http://www.virology.ws profvrr

It's a good question – whether toothpaste tubes spread influenza. It
depends on how much virus would be present; my feeling is that levels
would be too low. From saliva to toothbrush to tube; plus the time
sitting on the toothbrush until the next contact with tube, would
result in low amounts of virus that would not effectively transmit. As
for toothpaste – I'm looking at a tube of Crest and the only
ingredient listed is 0.243% sodium fluoride, not known to be an
influenza antiviral. The other components are likely to be flavors and
fillers. Bottom line: I don't worry about toothpaste as a way of
transmitting influenza.