Virology
Single dose of 2009 H1N1 vaccine immunogenic in adults
By Vincent Racaniello | | Information
An Australian group has reported results of a clinical trial to determine the safety and immunogenicity of a 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus vaccine. Twenty-one days after the first of two scheduled doses, the vaccine proved to be immunogenic in adults. This is good news, as many had believed that two doses of the vaccine …
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Pandemic H1N1 influenza virus outcompetes seasonal strains in ferrets
By Vincent Racaniello | | Information
When more than one influenza A virus subtype is circulating in humans, as has been the case since 1977, there are several possible outcomes. The viruses might co-circulate, one virus might out-compete another, or co-infection of cells with two viruses can lead to the production of genetically distinct viruses by the process of reassortment of …
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Return of swine-origin H1N1 influenza to the US
By Vincent Racaniello | | Information
Of the many questions that I receive about influenza, one of the most common is “when will swine flu return to the US?”. In other words, when will the 2009 pandemic H1N1 strain, first recognized in humans in April 2009, emerge for the 2009-2010 influenza season? “Return” is probably not the correct word to use, …
TWiV 48: Outbreaks near you
By Vincent Racaniello | | This Week in Virology
Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dick Despommier, Alan Dove, and Rich Condit On episode 48 of the podcast “This Week in Virology”, Vincent, Dick, Alan and Rich revisit a vaccinia virus lab accident and viral vaccines produced in plants, then talk about an iPhone app to track infectious diseases, flying foxes, and an inhaled measles vaccine. [powerpress url=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/twiv/TWiV048.mp3″] Click …
Spit Shields UP H1N1: EMS Garage Episode 51
By Vincent Racaniello | | Events
This week I had the pleasure of joining Chris Montera and his friends on “EMS Garage”, a weekly podcast for Emergency Medical Services professionals. We discussed basic information about the 2009 pandemic influenza H1N1 strain such as transmission and immunization plans, and what EMS personnel can do to help prevent the spread of infection. It …
ACIP recommendations on monovalent H1N1 vaccine
By Vincent Racaniello | | Information
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has released its recommendations on the use of influenza A (H1N1) 2009 monovalent vaccine. Here is my summary of the salient points. The report begins with information on who is contracting pandemic 2009 H1N1 influenza. The median age of persons with laboratory-confirmed infections in the United States is …
David Tuller
Trial By Error: In Protocol for Long COVID Exercise Trial, Investigators Advocate Lying to Participants
By David Tuller, DrPH Researchers are planning yet another trial of a rehabilitative exercise program for Long COVID—but, in this one, they propose to lie to all the participants about the nature of the study and the intervention being investigated. BMJ Open has recently published a paper called “Pursuing Reduction in Fatigue After COVID-19 via …
Trial By Error: Some Things I’ve Read Recently: Anil van der Zee on Sex, “Mold Warrior” Johnson, and a Rant Against the Word “Journey”
By David Tuller, DrPH Anil van der Zee says “Fuck M.E.” One aspect of ME and ME/CFS that receives perhaps too little attention is the impact on someone’s sex life. Engaging in sexual activity takes a significant amount of energy—and is therefore likely to trigger post-exertional malaise for many with this illness. Especially for those …
Trial By Error: Some Things I’ve Read Recently–Aboriginals and Long COVID, Tips for Disability Claims, Profile of Ron Davis
By David Tuller, DrPH Failure to address Long COVID in Australian Aboriginal communities Croakey Health Media is a small but feisty Australian news outlet that covers social and structural inequities in healthcare. Croakey recently published “a call for action to address Long COVID in Aboriginal communities,” which focused in particular on the situation in the …
Trial By Error: Journalist Simon Spichak on Lack of Focus on Post-Exertional Malaise in Long COVID Exercise Trials
By David Tuller, DrPH According to the headline of a recent article in The Sick Times, “less than 20% of Long COVID trials involving exercise even mention post-exertional malaise.” The news organization analyzed the registration records for Long COVID clinical trials and found that only a small minority assess or take into account post-exertional malaise (PEM), …
Trial By Error: JAMA Touts Long COVID Exercise Trial with Clinically Insignificant Results; Most LC Exercise Trials Ignore PEM, Per Sick Times
By David Tuller, DrPH In its current “Medical News in Brief” section, JAMA is touting and amplifying the questionable claims of a flawed trial to treat or prevent Long COVID published by one of the journals under its umbrella—JAMANetworkOpen. The JAMA headline: “Resistance Training Improves Long COVID Outcomes.” Technically, the headline is true. In the …
Trial By Error: Another Exercise Trial with Clinically Insignificant Findings
By David Tuller, DrPH A recent study from JAMA Network Open, called “Resistance Exercise Therapy After COVID-19 Infection: A Randomized Clinical Trial,” demonstrates some of the flaws that so often mar papers in this field of research. The trial’s reported results do not warrant the optimistic conclusion that the intervention “may be a generalizable therapy …
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