TWiV #62 - Persistence of West Nile virus

On episode #62 of the podcast This Week in Virology, Vincent, Dickson, and Alan discuss STEP HIV-1 vaccine failure caused by the adenovirus vector, presence of West Nile virus in kidneys for years after initial infection, adaptation of the influenza viral RNA polymerase for replication in human cells, and the significance of the D225G change in the influenza HA protein.

Host links Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, and Alan Dove

• HIV vaccine failure probably caused by adenovirus vector used
• Persistence of West Nile virus in kidneys for years (JID and ProMedMail) (thanks, Lenn!)
• Adaptive strategies of influenza RNA polymerase for replication in humans
• New CDC estimates of 2009 H1N1 infection in US
• Receptor binding specificity of 2009 H1N1 virus
• Distribution of sialic acids in human respiratory tract