virology blog
About viruses and viral disease
In this week’s coverage of the coronavirus epidemic, the TWiV team discusses the fatality rate, China’s initial reaction to the outbreak, conspiracy theories, how long the virus remains infectious on surfaces, and evidence for virus in the intestinal tract.
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Download TWiV 586 (72 MB .mp3, 119 min)
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Show notes at microbe.tv/twiv
The TWiVerers continue their coverage of the new coronavirus outbreak in China, as the number of cases increase dramatically and the virus begins person-to-person transmission in other countries.
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Download TWiV 585 (71 MB .mp3, 118 min)
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Show notes at microbe.tv/twiv
An unprecedented amount of information is emerging on the new coronavirus, provisionally called 2019-nCoV, that originated in China and is spreading globally. As of this writing there are 8,236 confirmed cases (8,124 in China) with 171 deaths (Click the link for real-time updates).
What was the origin of the virus?
The virus was first isolated by infection of cells in culture with broncho-alveolar wash from a patient in Wuhan with pneumonia. The infected cells showed cytopathic effects, and staining of cells with an antibody to coronavirus NP protein, which is conserved among coronaviruses, revealed intracellular staining.
As with all previous outbreaks of new virus infections, we are being warned of impending doom concerning the new coronavirus, 2019-nCoV that is now spreading globally. China’s National Health Commission Vice Minister Li Bin recently warned that ‘there is the possibility of viral mutation’. Perhaps Mr. Li is unaware that viral genomes sustain mutations during every replication cycle. More importantly, the implication of his message is that with mutation, bad things will happen. But outbreak-associated mutations do not have to increase viral replication or virulence.