COVID Experts Podcast

On today’s episode we talk with Dr. Marie C. Bene. She is a professor of immunology and hematology at Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nantes, France. Today we discuss her latest research on IgA and SARS-COV-2, the challenges in vaccine development for COVID-19, and how her principles are being used in current investigations. Dr. Marie C. Bene has experience in work at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nancy as well, as both a PUPH as well as a MCUPH. Dr. Bene’s published works include papers about DNA extraction for multiplex diagnosis of factor V Leiden and prothrombin gene variants, ligand plasma levels and its lack of impact on acute leukemia patients, as well as papers on allotransplants in lymphoma patients. Talking points: Introduction (00:00) Dr. Marie C. Bene’s latest publication (00:54) The relation of IgA with the SARS-COV-2 infection (02:20) Uses of Dr. Bene’s findings, for detection and cure (05:34) Current investigations utilizing Dr. Bene’s principles (07:05) Takeaway message from Dr. Bene’s work (07:35) The relevance of testing issues with the process of development of a vaccine (08:27) The biggest challenges in vaccine development (09:10) Conclusion (09:49) Resources: “Good IgA bad IgG in SARS-CoV-2 infection?" Clinical Infectious Diseases. 2020 April 11. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32280952/

On today’s episode we chat with Dr. Andres Castillo, a senior scientist in the molecular genetics department and the public health institute of Chile. Dr. Castillo and his team perform routine surveillance of viruses, bacteria, fungi and other pathogens. His article, published in the Journal of Medical Virology, is about the phylogenetic analysis of the first four cases of the COVID-19 virus in Chile. Thanks for joining us for this wonderful opportunity to learn from one of the leading researchers on the COVID pandemic. Enjoy! Talking points: Introduction (00:30) The current COVID-19 situation in Chile (01:00) How the virus entered Chile (02:30) The correlation between genomic analysis results and country of origin (07:05) What clinically relevant information does this genomic analysis give us? (08:55) Questions that Dr. Castillo’s paper covers (11:06) Dr. Castillo’s advice to other scientists based on his research (12:33) Resources: “Phylogenetic analysis of the first four SARS-CoV-2 cases in Chile." Journal of Medical Virology. 2020 April 8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7228331/

On today’s episode, we talk with Dr. Jean B. Nachega. Dr. Nachega is associated with many distinguished universities around the world, including the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Centre for Infectious Diseases, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa. Dr Nachega speaks about the topics in his recently published article titled Limiting the spread of COVID-19 in Africa: one size mitigation strategies do not fit all countries.  He has over 25 year-experience in patient care, teaching, designing and implementing HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis studies or programs funded by NIH/NIAID, PEPFAR, EDCTP, and Wellcome Trust. He is a lead HIV Investigator within AIDS Clinical Trial Group (ACTG) and an ad hoc consultant at WHO, CDC, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, as well as a member of Academy of Sciences of South Africa (ASSAF) and African Academy of Sciences (AAS). Thanks for joining us for this wonderful opportunity to learn from one of the leading researchers on the COVID pandemic. Enjoy! Talking points: A brief introduction of Dr. Nachega (00:54) The impact of COVID-19 in patients who are coinfected with HIV (02:00) Reasons why Africa might be slower in the prevalence of COVID-19 (02:38) The impact of age distribution on African cases of COVID-19 (04:10) The effect of temperature and humidity in the spread of COVID-19 (05:30) Barriers to mitigating the spread of COVID-19 are specific to Africa (06:35) Dr. Nachega’s recommendations for social distancing and handwashing for Africa (07:47) Dr. Nachega’s take-home message for clinicians (08:50) Resources: “Limiting the spread of COVID-19 in Africa: one size mitigation strategies do not fit all countries." Lancet Global Health. 2020 July. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7240268/

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Antonio Frontera, a cardiac electrophysiologist at the San Raffaele Hospital in Milan (at the epicenter of the Coronavirus outbreak in Italy). He talks about the topics in his article, Severe Air Pollution Links to Higher Mortality in COVID-19 Patients: the ‘Double-Hit’ Hypothesis, which  is a compilation of his research on the correlation between cities with higher air pollution and COVID-19 outbreaks. His projects include research in development of non-invasive mapping strategies and developing ablation strategies for atrial fibrillation. Also, Dr. Frontera is quite prolific in his publications, which range from topics in RF ablation, to research in frequent foreign body airway obstructions, to the analysis of the reshaping of intensive care unit facilities in large metropolitan hospitals in Milan due to COVID-19. Thanks for joining us for this wonderful opportunity to learn from one of the leading researchers on the COVID pandemic. Enjoy! Talking points: Introduction (00:00) The focus of Dr. Frontera’s work (00:54) The effects of COVID-19 on the heart and cardiac rhythm (01:44) The focus of Dr. Frontera’s research for COVID-19 (03:25) The difference between the increased spread of infection due to dense population versus increased spread of infection due to pollution (10:11) Pollution and mortality rate (11:48) Dr. Frontera’s advice for clinicians based on his research (13:50) Thank you to Dr. Frontera and conclusion (15:05) Resources:  “Severe air pollution links to higher mortality in COVID-19 patients: the “double-hit” hypothesis." Journal of Infection. 2020 May 21. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7240268/

Today’s guest, Dr. Julian W. Tang, a clinical virologist with the university hospitals in Leicester, UK, is considered an aerosol transmission expert. He has a special interest in infection control specifically as it relates to influenza and respiratory viruses as well as work experience in Hong Kong post-SARS in 2003. In this episode, Dr. Tang shares how countries affected by SARS applied the lessons they learned to the current pandemic, and how it stands in contrast to other countries’ hesitant responses. We also delve into why COVID-19 should be considered airborne and what should be done in response. Along with this, we explore how ventilation could help curtail intra-hospital transmission, why the WHO needs to change its recommendations, and what Dr. Tang believes the trajectory of the virus will be. These evidence-based, clear insights are great advancements in the COVID-19 research landscape. Thanks for joining us for this wonderful opportunity to learn from one of the leading researchers on the COVID pandemic. Enjoy! Talking points: An introduction to today’s guest, Dr. Julian Tang, and his area of expertise (0:30) Dr. Tang’s experience of working in Hong Kong post-SARS and the parallels to the current pandemic (1:14) What Dr. Tang noticed about the UK, European, and North American responses to COVID-19 (2:55) Why Dr. Tang refutes the claim that COVID-19 is not airborne (3:26) What Dr. Tang has seen with screening healthcare workers in Leicester (4:53) Learn more about what happens to viral count after exhalations (6:10) Why hospital ward ventilation is so important in curtailing the spread of COVID-19 (7:28) Places that have adopted ventilation strategies and the results (8:14) The varied responses Dr. Tang has seen to the idea of opening hospital ward windows (9:42) An infectious disease with a higher mortality rate would have airborne precautions (11:00) Where Dr. Tang sees the trajectory of COVID-19 going, based on past experience (11:45)  

Today, we are speaking with Dr. Amir Davarpanah, Assistant Professor of Radiology at Emory University. Dr. Davarpanah recently published an article titled Novel Screening and Triage Strategy in Iran During Deadly Coronavirus Disease 2019 and in this episode, we hear about the inventive methodologies it documents. Using Iran as a case study, our conversation is all about creative solutions to the issue of screening for COVID in resource- scarce countries and the value of humanitarian approaches during this time of crisis. Dr. Davarpanah stresses the importance of screening at the earliest stage possible, and we hear his recommendations to doctors as far as being resourceful where resources are lacking. Thanks for joining us for this wonderful opportunity to learn from one of the leading researchers on the COVID pandemic. Enjoy! Talking points: Introducing Dr. Davarpanah and his paper about novel screening processes in Iran. (0:31)  Scarce resources in Iran during the crisis leading to their creative screening solutions. (0:55) The role of Iranian sanctions and lessons from China in Iran’s evolving plan. (1:38)  PCR test unreliability and how Iran used existing CT scanning infrastructure. (2:05) Bypassing master screening by using early signs of illness as a cue for a CT scan. (3:06) Overcoming the challenge of interpreting chest CT scans using social media. (3:48)  Drawbacks of DICOM and the infrastructure of the social media sharing system. (4:20) Collaboration between Iranian/American radiologists leading to high scan amounts. (5:21)  What gave Dr. Davarpanah the idea to assist Iran in this way from his home in the US. (5:56) Takeaways for other countries: the need to identify infected people early on. (6:55) Whether CT scans can be of use where resources and PCR tests are scarce. (7:07)  Approaches that take resource availability into consideration in fighting COVID. (8:02) The need to find solutions for identifying people that have been symptomless for long. (9:03) Why collaborative, humanitarian efforts are needed to fight crises like this. (10:06) Advice for how young physicians can help, cooperate, and share findings. (11:27) Resources: “Novel Screening and Triage Strategy in Iran During Deadly Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Epidemic: Value of Humanitarian Teleconsultation Service" Journal of the American College of Radiology. 2020 Mar 24. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32167538/

Today, we have Dr. Giacomo Grasselli, an associate professor at the University of Milan in Italy. Dr. Grasselli was instrumental in developing a network of COVID-19 ICUs in Lombardy to establish a central coordination of critically ill COVID-19 patients and admitted over 4000 people. His findings were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, in an article titled, “Critical Care Utilization for the COVID-19 Outbreak in Lombardy, Italy: Early Experience and Forecast During an Emergency Response.” Thanks for joining us for this wonderful opportunity to learn from one of the leading researchers on the COVID pandemic. Enjoy! Talking Points: About this podcast and our mission (00:00) Who is our guest: Dr. Giacomo Grasselli (00:29) Lombardy medical efforts and ICU capacity (01:00) The response in Lombardy in comparison to other Italian cities (05:06) Differences of the response (and subsequential spread) of other countries (06:29) Advice for clinicians on the front lines (07:34) Advice for younger physicians on getting involved in research efforts (09:19) Conclusion (10:55) Resources: “Critical Care Utilization for the COVID-19 Outbreak in Lombardy, Italy: Early Experience and Forecast During an Emergency Response" Journal of the American Medical Association. 2020 March 13. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32167538/ 

Today, we hear from Dr. Matthew R. McKay, a professor in the Department of Electronics and Computer Engineering as well as the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. In this episode, we discuss Dr. McKay’s paper published in the journal Viruses titled, “Preliminary Identification of Potential Vaccine Targets or the COVID-19 Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) Based on SARS-CoV Immunological Studies". Thanks for joining us for this wonderful opportunity to learn from one of the leading researchers on the COVID pandemic. Enjoy! Talking Points: About this podcast and our mission (0:00) Dr. McKay discusses his findings in his paper on vaccine targets (1:42) Results on COVID-19 and SARS epitopes (4:42) Progress on treatment for COVID-19 (5:27) Differences in the vaccine development for SARS and COVID (6:52) The reality of starting from scratch in COVID-19 vaccine development (7:45) The trial process of vaccine development (9:05) Antibody-dependent enhancement (10:16) Final thoughts (11:15) Resources: “Preliminary Identification of Potential Vaccine Targets or the COVID-19 Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) Based on SARS-CoV Immunological Studies" Viruses. 2020 Feb 25. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32106567/

Today, we welcome Dr. Antonio Luis Cuesta Muñoz, an endocrinologist and the scientific director of the International Institute of Genetics of Diabetes, in Spain. In this episode, we discuss Dr. Cuesta Muñoz’s paper in Clinical Infectious Disease titled, “Inquiring into Benefits of Independent Activation of Non-Classical Renin-Angiotensin System in the Clinical Prognosis and Reduction of COVID-19 Mortality”. Thanks for joining us for this wonderful opportunity to learn from one of the leading researchers on the COVID pandemic. Enjoy! Talking Points: About this podcast and our mission (0:00) Dr. Cuesta Muñoz involvement  with the fight against COVID-19 (1:42) A summary of Dr. Cuesta Muñoz’s literature on COVID-19 (2:58) The role of the renin-angiotensin system on COVID-19 (3:26) The pathogenesis of COVID-19 (4:42) The relationship between Ace-2 and angiotensin (5:26) Studies that support an increase in angiotensin 17 (6:10) The relationship between SGLT2 Inhibitors and COVID-10 (6:42) How does metabolic syndrome relate to COVID-19? (7:01) Dr. Cuesta Muñoz explains the side effects of SGLT2 inhibitors (8:57) Final thoughts (9:25) Resources: “Inquiring into Benefits of Independent Activation of Non-Classical Renin-Angiotensin System in the Clinical Prognosis and Reduction of COVID-19 Mortality” Clinical Infectious Disease. 2020 Apr 8. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32266375/

Today, we sit down with Dr. Michael Gormley, the director of the Institute for Sustainable Building Design and the director of the Water Academy at Heriot-Watt University, in Scotland. In this episode, we discuss Dr. Gormley’s paper published in Lancet Global Health titled "COVID-19: Mitigating Transmission via Wastewater Plumbing Systems”. Thanks for joining us for this wonderful opportunity to learn from one of the leading researchers on the COVID pandemic. Enjoy! Talking Points: About this podcast and our mission (0:00) The link between defects in wastewater plumbing systems and transmission pathways of disease (1:45) Why protections against transmissions are important- especially for highly populated facilities (4:04) The current state of wastewater systems on a design level (5:54) How exactly do diseases like COVID and SARS transmit VIA wastewater plumbing? (7:09) The reality of transmission during a pandemic 7:54 Recommendations to combat the transmission of pathogens (9:02) A message to health care workers (10:41) The factors that determine the level of risk (11:37) Defects in wastewater plumbing during SARS (12:12) Resources: "COVID-19: Mitigating Transmission via Wastewater Plumbing Systems” Lancet Global Health. 2020 May 8. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32213325/

Today, we are joined by Dr. Bin Cao, the vice director of the National Clinal Research Center for Respiratory Diseases in the Peoples Republic of China. In this episode, we discuss Dr. Cao’s paper published in The New England Journal of Medicine titled, “A Trial of Lopinavir–Ritonavir in Adults Hospitalized with Severe Covid-19”. Thanks for joining us for this wonderful opportunity to learn from one of the leading researchers on the COVID pandemic. Enjoy! Talking Points: About this podcast and our mission (0:00) Dr. Cao’s describes his journey treating COVID-19 (1:10) Who discovered COVID-19? (1:35) The first month in Wuhan (2:12) Past experiences in clinical research (3:20) The three independent risk factors of COVID (5:28) Treatment for SARS and the relationship to COVID-19 (7:17) Advice for healthcare workers (8:40) Issues with vaccine development and next steps (11:00) Antibody-dependent enhancement (11:53) Final thoughts (13:00) Resources: “A Trial of Lopinavir–Ritonavir in Adults Hospitalized with Severe Covid-19” The New England Journal of Medicine. 2020 May 7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32187464/  

Today, we speak with Dr. Kostas Danis, a physician/epidemiologist with the department of infectious diseases in the French National Public Health Agency. In this episode, we discuss his paper published in Journal: Clinical Infectious Diseases, titled, “Cluster of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) in the French Alps.” Thanks for joining us for this wonderful opportunity to learn from one of the leading researchers on the COVID pandemic. Enjoy! Talking Points: About this podcast and our mission (0:00) Dr. Danis role in the fight against COVID-19 (1:06) Mortality in nursing homes in the COVID era (2:02) The trajectory of response to COVID-19 in France (2:35) A look into the beginning of COVID-19 in France (3:41) Dr. Danis shares more findings in his paper (5:44) Insight into the transmission of COVID-19 in children (6:34)  The need for testing (8:32) Questions that need answers surrounding this pandemic (9:26) Dr. Danis shares his current work in nursing homes in France (10:03) Final thoughts (11:11) Resources: "Cluster of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) in the French Alps, 2020." Clinical Infectious Diseases. 2020 Apr 11. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32277759/

Today, we interview Dr. Annelies Wilder-Smith, a renowned expert on public health and professor of infectious disease research at the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine in Singapore. In this episode, we discuss Dr. Wilder-Smith’s paper published in Lancet Infectious Diseases titled, “Can We Contain the COVID-19 Outbreak With the Same Measures as for SARS?”. Thanks for joining us for this wonderful opportunity to learn from one of the leading researchers on the COVID pandemic. Enjoy! Talking Points: About this podcast and our mission (0:00) Experiences with SARS in Singapore (1:15) China’s methods of controlling SARS (3:12) COVID and SARS characteristics (3:40) Differences between the response in Western and Asian countries. (5:00) The importance of testing (5:52) Pandemic response in megacities (6:29) Adapting community-based quarantine (7:43) Precision quarantine (9:15) Final thoughts (9:45) Resources: “Can We Contain the COVID-19 Outbreak With the Same Measures as for SARS?” Lancet Infectious Diseases. 2020 May 20. EPub 2020 March 5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32145768/