Episode 10 - Harnessing the Power of Bacteriophages With Dr Robert Schooley

Episode 12 - New Study on Treatments for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in People With HIV With Dr Jordan Lake Recorded Live from CROI 2024

In this episode, Dr Michael Saag speaks with Dr Jordan Lake live from the 2024 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI). They discuss the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) among people with HIV and explore the effectiveness of the GLP-1 receptor agonist semaglutide, commonly used to treat diabetes and aid in weight loss, to treat NAFLD. Future areas of research are considered, including maintenance strategies post-weight loss and a placebo-controlled version of the study.

00:02 Introduction and Welcome

00:44 Discussion on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in People With HIV

01:56 Role of HIV in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

02:43 Understanding the Inflammation and Fat Accumulation in the Liver

04:38 Exploring the Impact of Nucleoside Therapy on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

06:37 Potential Treatments for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

07:35 The Role of Semaglutide in Treating Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

13:36 The Importance of Routine Assessment for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

15:37 Exploring New Drugs for Treating Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

18:49 The Challenges and Future Directions in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Research

22:25 Conclusion and Closing Remarks

__________________________________________________

Produced by IAS-USA, Going anti–Viral is a podcast for clinicians involved in research and care in HIV, its complications, and other viral infections. This podcast is intended as a technical source of information for specialists in this field, but anyone listening will enjoy learning more about the state of modern medicine around viral infections.

Going anti-Viral’s host is Dr Michael Saag, a physician, prominent HIV researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and volunteer IAS–USA board member. In most episodes, Dr Saag interviews an expert in infectious diseases or emerging pandemics about their area of specialty and current developments in the field. Other episodes are drawn from the IAS–USA vast catalogue of panel discussions, Dialogues, and other audio from various meetings and conferences.

Email podcast@iasusa.org to send feedback, show suggestions, or questions to be answered on a later episode.

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Episode 11 - Innovations in Vaccine Research: Single Cell Immunity Development With Dr Fabian Otte Recorded Live from CROI 2024

In this podcast episode, Dr Michael Saag converses with Dr Fabian Otte, a molecular biologist at the University of Basel in Switzerland, live from the 2024 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI). Dr Otte shares insights into the ongoing development of an innovative SARS-CoV-2 vaccine that employs a single-cell immunity development approach. Highlighting its potential benefits, such as broader and longer-lasting immunity compared with mRNA vaccines. This pioneering vaccine research might also extend to other RNA viruses in the future.

00:02 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest

00:28 Discussion on the Development of Next-Generation SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines

00:50 Exploring a Single-Cell Immunity Approach

01:10 Understanding the Vaccine Development Process

02:42 The Potential of the New Vaccine

03:13 Challenges and Advantages of the New Vaccine

05:07 The Impact of the Vaccine on Immune Response

__________________________________________________

Produced by IAS-USA, Going anti–Viral is a podcast for clinicians involved in research and care in HIV, its complications, and other viral infections. This podcast is intended as a technical source of information for specialists in this field, but anyone listening will enjoy learning more about the state of modern medicine around viral infections.

Going anti-Viral’s host is Dr Michael Saag, a physician, prominent HIV researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and volunteer IAS–USA board member. In most episodes, Dr Saag interviews an expert in infectious diseases or emerging pandemics about their area of specialty and current developments in the field. Other episodes are drawn from the IAS–USA vast catalogue of panel discussions, Dialogues, and other audio from various meetings and conferences.

Email podcast@iasusa.org to send feedback, show suggestions, or questions to be answered on a later episode.

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Episode 10 - Harnessing the Power of Bacteriophages With Dr Robert Schooley

In this podcast episode, host Dr Michael Saag speaks with Dr Robert “Chip” Schooley, a distinguished Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health at the University of California San Diego. They discuss the revolutionary potential of bacteriophages, viruses that can infect and kill bacteria. They detail the research efforts and case studies involved in understanding the potential deployment of bacteriophages as a medical treatment. The discussion also highlights the necessity for clinical trials and future research involving genetically engineered phages.

00:02 Introduction and Guest Profile

01:51 The Growing Problem of Antimicrobial Resistance

02:55 Understanding Bacteriophages

04:21 The History and Use of Bacteriophages in Labs

05:45 The Role of Bacteriophages in Molecular Biology

11:43 The Journey of Treating a Patient with Bacteriophages

19:19 The Future of Bacteriophage Therapy

31:05 Closing Remarks and Podcast Outro

__________________________________________________

Produced by IAS-USA, Going anti–Viral is a podcast for clinicians involved in research and care in HIV, its complications, and other viral infections. This podcast is intended as a technical source of information for specialists in this field, but anyone listening will enjoy learning more about the state of modern medicine around viral infections.

Going anti-Viral’s host is Dr Michael Saag, a physician, prominent HIV researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and volunteer IAS–USA board member. In most episodes, Dr Saag interviews an expert in infectious diseases or emerging pandemics about their area of specialty and current developments in the field. Other episodes are drawn from the IAS–USA vast catalogue of panel discussions, Dialogues, and other audio from various meetings and conferences.

Email podcast@iasusa.org to send feedback, show suggestions, or questions to be answered on a later episode.

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Episode 9 - Understanding The Implementation of Doxycycline Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (DoxyPEP) and Addressing Sexually Transmitted Infections with Dr Annie Luetkemeyer

In this episode of Going anti-Viral, Dr Michael Saag has an insightful discussion with Dr Annie Luetkemeyer, a professor of medicine in the Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases, and Global Medicine at Zuckerberg San Francisco General at the University of California San Francisco.  Centering around the state of sexually transmitted infections in the United States, rising cases, strategies for control, and the promising role of doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (DoxyPEP)

00:02 Introduction to the Podcast

01:31 Discussion on the State of Sexually Transmitted Infections

05:21 Exploring the Concept of Post-Exposure Prophylaxis

07:19 Understanding the Implementation of DoxyPEP

10:23 Effectiveness of DoxyPEP

17:41 Potential Side Effects and Concerns of DoxyPEP

22:37 Future Prospects of DoxyPEP in STI Prevention

28:04 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

28:46 Podcast Closing Remarks

__________________________________________________

Produced by IAS-USA, Going anti–Viral is a podcast for clinicians involved in research and care in HIV, its complications, and other viral infections. This podcast is intended as a technical source of information for specialists in this field, but anyone listening will enjoy learning more about the state of modern medicine around viral infections.

Going anti-Viral’s host is Dr Michael Saag, a physician, prominent HIV researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and volunteer IAS–USA board member. In most episodes, Dr Saag interviews an expert in infectious diseases or emerging pandemics about their area of specialty and current developments in the field. Other episodes are drawn from the IAS–USA vast catalogue of panel discussions, Dialogues, and other audio from various meetings and conferences.

Email podcast@iasusa.org to send feedback, show suggestions, or questions to be answered on a later episode.

Follow Going anti-Viral on:
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Episode 8 - An Overview of The HIV/AIDS Epidemic, Prevention and Intervention Methods, and Future Strategies with Dr Susan Buchbinder

In this episode of the Going anti-Viral podcast, host Dr Michael Saag speaks with Dr Susan Buchbinder, a professor of medicine, epidemiology, and biostatistics at the University of California, San Francisco. They discuss the HIV/AIDS epidemic, tracing its history from its rise in the early 80s to its current status. The conversation covers the efficacy of different preventive and treatment strategies, such as community engagement, behavioral changes, condom use, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and the prospects of a future HIV vaccine.

00:02 Introduction to the Podcast

00:31 Guest Introduction: Dr Susan Buchbinder

01:10 History of the HIV Epidemic

05:01 The Role of Community in HIV Prevention

06:30 Prevention and Interventions

07:40 The Importance of HIV Testing

10:28 The Revolution of PrEP in HIV Prevention

12:42 The Challenges in Ending the HIV Epidemic

22:18 The Future of HIV Prevention

24:55 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

__________________________________________________

Produced by IAS-USA, Going anti–Viral is a podcast for clinicians involved in research and care in HIV, its complications, and other viral infections. This podcast is intended as a technical source of information for specialists in this field, but anyone listening will enjoy learning more about the state of modern medicine around viral infections.

Going anti-Viral’s host is Dr Michael Saag, a physician, prominent HIV researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and volunteer IAS–USA board member. In most episodes, Dr Saag interviews an expert in infectious diseases or emerging pandemics about their area of specialty and current developments in the field. Other episodes are drawn from the IAS–USA vast catalogue of panel discussions, Dialogues, and other audio from various meetings and conferences.

Email podcast@iasusa.org to send feedback, show suggestions, or questions to be answered on a later episode.

Follow Going anti-Viral on:
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Episode 7 - A Conversation With Dr Katelyn K. Jetelina About Her Journey in The Field of Epidemiology, The Initial Handling of The COVID-19 Pandemic, The Spreading of Misinformation, And The Urgent Need to Rebuild Public Trust in Health Infrastructure.

In this episode of Going anti-Viral, Dr Michael Saag speaks to epidemiologist Dr Katelyn K. Jetelina, co-founder of The Health Trust Initiative, and Senior Scientific Advisor to several government and non-profit agencies, including the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Resolve to Save Lives. The conversation, dated January 8, 2024, revolves around Dr Jetelina’s journey in the field of epidemiology, the initial handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, the spreading of misinformation, and the urgent need to rebuild public trust in health infrastructure. They also touch on the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in rapidly spreading misinformation for profit, and its potential to disseminate correct information. Dr Jetelina suggests that empowering community leaders with accurate scientific information and leveraging technologic innovations can play a key role in improving the public health system.

00:02 Introduction and Guest Presentation

01:09 Dr Jetelina's Journey Into Epidemiology

03:19 Understanding the Transmission of COVID-19

06:39 The Impact of COVID-19 and the Role of Public Health Officials 

11:00 The Challenge of Misinformation and Disinformation

21:49 Addressing the Future: Preparing for the Next Pandemic

26:10 Conclusion and Final Remarks

__________________________________________________

Produced by IAS-USA, Going anti–Viral is a podcast for clinicians involved in research and care in HIV, its complications, and other viral infections. This podcast is intended as a technical source of information for specialists in this field, but anyone listening will enjoy learning more about the state of modern medicine around viral infections.

Going anti-Viral’s host is Dr Michael Saag, a physician, prominent HIV researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and volunteer IAS–USA board member. In most episodes, Dr Saag interviews an expert in infectious diseases or emerging pandemics about their area of specialty and current developments in the field. Other episodes are drawn from the IAS–USA vast catalogue of panel discussions, Dialogues, and other audio from various meetings and conferences.

Email podcast@iasusa.org to send feedback, show suggestions, or questions to be answered on a later episode.

Follow Going anti-Viral on:
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Episode 6 - A Conversation With Dr Anthony Fauci on His Career And His Role in the Responses to AIDS and COVID-19. Recorded December 14, 2023

Dr Michael Saag hosts Dr Anthony Fauci on this episode of the Going anti-Viral podcast, discussing Dr Fauci's career journey, his involvement in AIDS research, and his contribution towards managing other viral diseases. The conversation particularly focuses on the initial response to AIDS, the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the vaccine development process, and the challenges and successes encountered. The podcast also highlights the significant shift in activism around public health crises, contrasting the constructive role of AIDS activists with the destructive anti-science activism faced during COVID-19.

00:02 Introduction and Background

00:42 Dr Anthony Fauci's Early Life and Career

02:07 Beginning of the AIDS Story

02:12 First Encounter with AIDS and Initial Response

03:34 The Turning Point in AIDS Research

04:16 Building the AIDS Research Team

12:04 The Role of Activism in AIDS Research

17:06 The Emergence of COVID-19

17:55 The Development of the COVID-19 Vaccine

25:58 The Challenges of Anti-Science Activism in the COVID-19 Era

29:29 The Future of Public Health Communication

30:28 Conclusion and Reflections

__________________________________________________

Produced by IAS-USA, Going anti–Viral is a podcast for clinicians involved in research and care in HIV, its complications, and other viral infections. This podcast is intended as a technical source of information for specialists in this field, but anyone listening will enjoy learning more about the state of modern medicine around viral infections.

Going anti-Viral’s host is Dr Michael Saag, a physician, prominent HIV researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and volunteer IAS–USA board member. In most episodes, Dr Saag interviews an expert in infectious diseases or emerging pandemics about their area of specialty and current developments in the field. Other episodes are drawn from the IAS–USA vast catalogue of panel discussions, Dialogues, and other audio from various meetings and conferences.

Email podcast@iasusa.org to send feedback, show suggestions, or questions to be answered on a later episode.

Follow Going anti-Viral on:
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Episode 5 - An In-depth Discussion on Syphilis With Dr Meredith Clement, Associate Professor at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. This special episode was recorded live from the 2023 Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program CLINICAL CONFERENCE in Portland, OR, on December 4th, 2023.

In this special episode of Going anti-Viral, recorded live from the 2023 Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program CLINICAL CONFERENCE in Portland, OR, Dr Michael Saag speaks with Dr Meredith Clement, Associate Professor at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. They discuss the history and increasing prevalence of syphilis, the contributing factors to its resurgence, and its various stages. Dr Clement also highlights the current challenges in syphilis treatment, such as medication shortages and the need for rigorous screenings during prenatal care.

00:08 Introduction and Welcome
00:57 Discussing the History and Prevalence of Syphilis
01:40 Understanding the Decline of Syphilis in the 1990s
02:21 Current State of Syphilis Cases and Demographics
03:29 Challenges in Prenatal Care and Congenital Syphilis
07:05 Understanding the Stages of Syphilis
09:47 Diagnosis and Testing for Syphilis
13:53 Treatment Options for Syphilis
15:53 Challenges and Future Directions in Syphilis Treatment
22:41 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

__________________________________________________

Produced by IAS-USA, Going anti–Viral is a podcast for clinicians involved in research and care in HIV, its complications, and other viral infections. This podcast is intended as a technical source of information for specialists in this field, but anyone listening will enjoy learning more about the state of modern medicine around viral infections.

Going anti-Viral’s host is Dr Michael Saag, a physician, prominent HIV researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and volunteer IAS–USA board member. In most episodes, Dr Saag interviews an expert in infectious diseases or emerging pandemics about their area of specialty and current developments in the field. Other episodes are drawn from the IAS–USA vast catalogue of panel discussions, Dialogues, and other audio from various meetings and conferences.

Email podcast@iasusa.org to send feedback, show suggestions, or questions to be answered on a later episode.

Follow Going anti-Viral on:
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Episode 4 - A Deep Dive Into Vaccine Development With Dr Richard Koup, Deputy Director Chief, Immunology Laboratory Vaccine Research Center, NIAID, NIH. This special episode was recorded live from the 2023 Ryan White CLINICAL CONFERENCE in Portland, OR, December 2nd, 2023

In this special episode of Going anti-Viral, recorded live from the 2023 Ryan White CLINICAL CONFERENCE in Portland, OR, we explore the challenges and progress in developing vaccines for HIV and COVID-19. Dr Saag discusses with Dr Richard Koup, Deputy Director Chief, Immunology Laboratory Vaccine Research Center, NIAID, NIH, about vaccine development for HIV and its associated challenges and how pre-existing knowledge of similar viruses expedited COVID-19 vaccine development. The conversation also touches upon cellular immunity, broadly neutralizing antibodies, and the potential future of HIV vaccine development.

00:08 Introduction and Welcome
00:44 Interview with Dr Richard Koup
01:05 The History of HIV Vaccine Development
02:26 The Challenges of HIV Vaccine Development
06:33 The Role of Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies in HIV Vaccine Development
14:30 The Potential of Cellular Immunity in HIV Vaccine Development
16:08 The Miraculous Development of the COVID-19 Vaccine
26:37 The Future of HIV Vaccine Development
28:13 Conclusion and Closing Remarks

__________________________________________________

Produced by IAS-USA, Going anti–Viral is a podcast for clinicians involved in research and care in HIV, its complications, and other viral infections. This podcast is intended as a technical source of information for specialists in this field, but anyone listening will enjoy learning more about the state of modern medicine around viral infections.

Going anti-Viral’s host is Dr Michael Saag, a physician, prominent HIV researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and volunteer IAS–USA board member. In most episodes, Dr Saag interviews an expert in infectious diseases or emerging pandemics about their area of specialty and current developments in the field. Other episodes are drawn from the IAS–USA vast catalogue of panel discussions, Dialogues, and other audio from various meetings and conferences.

Email podcast@iasusa.org to send feedback, show suggestions, or questions to be answered on a later episode.

Follow Going anti-Viral on:
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Episode 1 - 40 Years Later: Looking Back at the Beginning of the HIV/AIDS Epidemic

In this episode of Going anti-Viral, we revisit a panel discussion titled "40 Years Later: Looking Back at the Beginning of the HIV/AIDS Epidemic," sponsored by the IAS–USA. 

Dr Gerald Friedland moderates a panel of key medical figures who served at the frontlines of the HIV/AIDS epidemic during its early years. The panel, consisting of Dr Kathryn Anastos, Dr Donna Futterman, Dr Sheldon Landesman, and Dr Fred Valentine discusses their experiences, the systemic responses, and the stigma associated with the disease. They contemplate on how the lessons learned from HIV are relevant to the current COVID-19 pandemic and the potential pandemics that may come in the future.

The discussion took place on June 13, 2022, at the Scott M. Hammer Annual Update on HIV Management in New York City.

00:00 Introduction and Overview of the Podcast

00:37 Panel Discussion: Reflecting on the Early Days of the HIV Epidemic

01:20 Panelists Share Their Personal Experiences and Challenges

02:29 The Impact of HIV on Medical Professionals and Their Careers

03:01 The Spread of HIV in Different New York City Boroughs

03:45 Panelists' Current Roles and Their Initial Encounters with HIV

06:01 The Struggle with Internalized Homophobia in HIV Patients

06:26 The Evolution of HIV Treatment and the Reaction of Medical Providers

07:44 The Emotional Impact of the HIV Epidemic

20:06 The Challenges of Creating a System of Care for HIV Patients

21:23 The Stigma and Misunderstandings Surrounding HIV

40:29 The Role of Activism in the Fight Against HIV

41:35 Institutional Responses to the HIV Epidemic

43:21 Challenges in Pediatric Care for HIV Patients

44:10 Stigma and Discrimination in Healthcare

44:47 International Efforts in HIV Testing

47:01 Safety Measures in HIV Research Labs

48:43 Health and Hospitals Corporation's Role in HIV Care

50:01 The Impact of HIV on Medical Education and Training

54:11 The Role of Activism in the HIV/AIDS Response

55:40 Lessons from HIV for Future Pandemics

57:16 The Response of the Medical Community to HIV

58:21 The Importance of Addressing Social Determinants of Health

01:00:08 The Future of HIV Research and Care

01:06:34 Closing Remarks and Reflections

__________________________________________________

Produced by IAS-USA, Going anti–Viral is a podcast for clinicians involved in research and care in HIV, its complications, and other viral infections. This podcast is intended as a technical source of information for specialists in this field, but anyone listening will enjoy learning more about the state of modern medicine around viral infections.

Going anti-Viral’s host is Dr Michael Saag, a physician, prominent HIV researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and volunteer IAS–USA board member. In most episodes, Dr Saag interviews an expert in infectious diseases or emerging pandemics about their area of specialty and current developments in the field. Other episodes are drawn from the IAS–USA vast catalogue of panel discussions, Dialogues, and other audio from various meetings and conferences.

Email podcast@iasusa.org to send feedback, show suggestions, or questions to be answered on a later episode.

Follow Going anti-Viral on:
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...