Going anti-Viral

In episode 90 of Going anti-Viral, Dr Ina Park joins host Dr Michael Saag to discuss stigma and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and her book Strange Bedfellows: Adventures in the Science, History, and Surprising Secrets of STDs. Dr Park is a Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco and the Principal Investigator at the California Prevention Training Center and a Medical Consultant for the Division of STD Prevention at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr Park is co-author of the 2021 CDC STD Treatment Guidelines. Dr Saag and Dr Park discuss her book, the history and stigma surrounding STDs, and innovative approaches to prevention and treatment, including doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (doxyPEP) and the importance of reducing stigma through open conversations. They also address the importance of early sex education and advocacy for condom use.

0:00 – Introduction

1:50 – Dr Park’s interest in STDs and early activism

4:10 – Origins of Dr Park’s book Strange Bedfellows

7:42 – Stigma associated with STDs and roots in history

11:03 – The history of HIV/AIDS and changes in public perception

13:37 – Current epidemiology of syphilis and the role of doxyPEP

17:51 – Addressing stigma and promoting open conversations about sexual health

21:08 – Cultural differences in attitudes toward STDs

22:43 – The importance of early sex education and open communication

25:20 – The ongoing fight against STDs and advocacy for condom use

27:05 – Closing thoughts and future outlook

Resources:

Strange Bedfellows: Adventures in the Science, History, and Surprising Secrets of STDs

https://www.inapark.net/the-book

__________________________________________________

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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In episode 89 of Going anti-Viral, Dr Andrew Racine joins host Dr Michael Saag to discuss the federal government’s recent update to the childhood vaccine schedule. Dr Racine is President of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the System Senior Vice-President of the Montefiore Health System and Executive Director of the Montefiore Medical Group. Dr Racine is also a Professor of Pediatrics at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and has served on the AAP’s National Committee on Child Health Financing and Chaired the National Task Force of Poverty and Child Health. Dr Saag and Dr Racine discuss the history and importance of vaccines in child health and the rigorous process behind vaccine approval. They also discuss the challenges posed by vaccine skepticism and policy changes. Dr Racine emphasizes the critical role of trust and evidence-based practices by pediatricians and organizations like the AAP in maintaining public health.

0:00 – Introduction

1:28 – History of childhood diseases before vaccines

7:23 – The rigorous process of vaccine evaluation and approval

12:21 – The quality and safety data behind vaccine approval

15:06 – Vaccine skepticism: origins and amplification in modern times

17:38 – The importance of vaccine mandates for school entry

21:28 – Addressing myths: vaccines and autism

23:40 – The role of trusted pediatrician relationships in vaccine communication

28:34 – The value of vaccine advocacy by AAP and other professional organizations

Resources

http://healthychildren.org/

__________________________________________________

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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In episode 88 of Going anti-Viral, Dr Elaine Abrams joins host Dr Michael Saag to discuss her career of research into vertical transmission of HIV and care for pregnant women, children, adolescents, and families. Dr Abrams is a Professor of Epidemiology and Pediatrics at Columbia University Medical Center and Senior Director of Research at ICAP at Columbia University in New York. An internationally recognized pediatrician, epidemiologist, and global health leader, she has more than 35 years of experience as a clinician, researcher, and public health practitioner in the prevention and treatment of HIV infection and associated infectious diseases. Dr Abrams and Dr Saag discuss the history and progress of preventing vertical HIV transmission and the impact of early studies like PACTG 076. They also discuss Dr Abrams’s early work in Africa on HIV transmission and review the current understanding of breastfeeding and HIV transmission. They address the impact of the dismantling of USAID on global HIV prevention efforts and provide an outlook to the future for HIV elimination and global efforts.

0:00 – Introduction

1:31 – First cases of vertical transmission of HIV and rates of transmission

4:00 – Challenges faced during the early HIV epidemic in New York

9:16 – The landmark PACTG 076 study and its significance

12:30 – Global expansion of HIV prevention efforts and treatment

17: 03 – Engagement with HIV programs in Africa and lessons learned

20:12 – Impact of program disruptions due to dismantling of USAID and future challenges

24:47 – Current understanding of breastfeeding and HIV transmission

28:44 – Future outlook for HIV elimination and global efforts

__________________________________________________

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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In episode 87 of Going anti-Viral, we represent a panel discussion from September 3, 2026, as part of the IAS–USA Dialogue series Emerging Infections and Health Threats. This Dialogue is a must listen as our distinguished panel of infectious disease experts dives deep into some of the most pressing public health challenges facing the world today. Moderated by Carlos del Rio, MD, a Distinguished Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Emory University School of Medicine, this Dialogue brings together world-class experts Yvonne Maldonado, MD, and Peter Chin-Hong, MD. The panel addresses the following pressing topics:

-- Upcoming respiratory virus season: have we learned any lessons from Australia?

-- New FDA-approved vaccines: updated COVID-19 vaccine and the first mRNA flu vaccine for the fall season

-- Vaccination controversies: the politicization of the vaccination schedule, the resurgence of measles, and declining vaccine confidence

-- Global outbreaks: Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda; cholera outbreaks in Sudan, Chad, and other African nations

-- Emerging US health threats: chikungunya, Chagas, leishmaniasis, malaria, Dengue fever, and other diseases that were once considered nonendemic in the US are occurring with increasing frequency

0:00 – Introduction

1:48– Reaction to recent measles deaths and update on status of the outbreak in the US

11:15 – Update on the changes to the vaccination schedule

15:03 – The role of medical groups in making updated vaccine recommendations

26:20 – The mRNA influenza vaccine and research into the use of mRNA vaccines for cancer treatments

30:01 – Update on summer foodborne outbreaks and surveillance

36:17 – Audience questions on COVID-19, influenza, and mpox vaccination

43:41 – Overview of alpha-gal syndrome

48:21 – Impact of climate change and global travel on spread of mosquito and tick-borne diseases

53:28 – Impact of cuts to public health on response to health threats like Ebola

__________________________________________________

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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In episode 86 of Going anti-Viral, Dr Brenda Crabtree-Ramírez joins host Dr Michael Saag to discuss women and HIV in Latin America. Dr Crabtree-Ramírez is a Professor of the HIV Program at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. She has participated in Phase I to IV clinical trials evaluating therapies for HIV/AIDS and opportunistic infections and is the Principal Investigator in Mexico for the Caribbean, Central, and South America Network for HIV Epidemiology (CCASAnet). She has contributed to studies focused on sociodemographic factors, HIV-related comorbidities, women with HIV, aging with HIV, and advanced HIV disease. Dr Crabtree-Ramírez discusses the HIV epidemic in Latin America, focusing on women’s unique challenges, access to care, and prevention strategies including PrEP and HPV vaccination.

0:00 – Introduction

1:36 – Challenges in HIV research and healthcare access in Latin America

4:08 – Access to antiretroviral therapy and diagnosis gaps

5:15 – Unique challenges faced by women with HIV and testing during pregnancy

8:11– Research on women and HIV in Latin America

11:50 – CCASAnet and IeDEA network: data collection and insights

13:46 – Barriers to care for women: transportation, stigma, and violence

17:18 – Strategies to improve diagnosis and engagement in care

20:57 – Prevention strategies: PrEP and community programs

24:06 – Role of HPV vaccination and cervical cancer prevention

26:44 – Future directions and women’s leadership in HIV research and call for continued advocacy

Resources:

CCASAnet: https://www.ccasanet.org/

IeDEA: https://www.iedea.org/

__________________________________________________

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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In episode 85 of Going anti-Viral, Dr Andrea Gramatica joins host Dr Michael Saag to discuss the work of amfAR and how HIV research drives breakthroughs for other diseases. Dr Gramatica is Vice President of Research at amfAR and an expert in immunology and HIV virology with a research focus on viral persistence and immune modulation. Dr Gramatica is responsible for shaping the strategic direction of amfAR’s research programs, including building upon existing research into HIV and other viral diseases, as well as addressing emerging public health challenges. Dr Gramatica discusses the history and impact of amfAR in HIV research, highlighting how philanthropic funding accelerated scientific breakthroughs. Dr Saag and Dr Gramatica also discuss amfAR’s expanding research interest into cancer immunology and other diseases and discuss the outlook for the future and the use of AI in discovering new therapies.

0:00 – Introduction

1:27 – What is amfAR and its role in the early response to HIV

4:28 – Key early grants and their impact on HIV treatment

8:29 – amfAR’s role in supporting early investigators

11:42 – amfAR’s expanding research interest into cancer immunology and other diseases

16:38 – The next five to ten years in HIV research and the role in advancing research using AI

21:52 – How to apply for grants at amfAR

Resources:

amfAR – https://www.amfar.org/

amfAR on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@amfAR

__________________________________________________

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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In episode 84 of Going anti-Viral, Nicholas Enrich joins host Dr Michael Saag to discuss his book Into the Wood Chipper: A Whistleblower's Account of How the Trump Administration Shredded USAID. Mr Enrich is a former civil servant who worked at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under 4 administrations. He served as the Bureau of Global Health director of policy, programs, and planning until January 2025, when he was designated as the USAID acting assistant administrator for global health. On March 2, 2025, he was placed on administrative leave for addressing the Trump administration dismantling of USAID. Mr Enrich provides an overview of the history and work of USAID prior to 2025 including the success of programs like the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and nutrition and food security programs. He then shares his firsthand account of the dismantling of USAID under the Trump administration including the actions by political appointees and staff from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Mr Enrich and Dr Saag explore the impact of the Administration’s policy on global health, development, and international partnerships and discuss the long-term consequences of the dismantling of USAID.

0:00 – Introduction

1:17 – What was USAID and its global impact before 2025

3:00 – USAID work in global health and food security

5:10 – The inception and impact of PEPFAR

8:07 – US politics and the continuity of USAID during the first Trump Administration

13:29 – The executive order to freeze foreign aid and its implications

15:37 – Legal questions around the executive order and appropriations law

18:24 – Experience with DOGE and the management style of Elon Musk

21:30 – Stories of chaos by the DOGE team and destruction within USAID

26:17 – How the political leadership of USAID was unaware of the work of the agency and implications on current health outbreaks like Ebola

32:10 – The long-term consequences of dismantling USAID and rebuilding trust

40:33 – Nicholas Enrich's current work and future plans

Resources:

Into the Wood Chipper: A Whistleblower's Account of How the Trump Administration Shredded USAID

https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Into-the-Wood-Chipper/Nicholas-Enrich/9781668226957

Cast of Hair perform Let The Sunshine In on The Ed Sullivan Show, March 30, 1969

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCXSA_biSw4&t=200s

__________________________________________________

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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In episode 83 of Going anti-Viral, Dr Steven Grinspoon joins host Dr Michael Saag to provide an update on guidelines for statin use in people with HIV based on results from the REPRIEVE trial. Dr Grinspoon is a Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and a clinician in the Neuroendocrine and Pituitary Tumor Clinical Center and faculty member at the Massachusetts General Hospital. He is a clinical researcher who studies hypothalamic control of body weight and fat distribution in obesity and lipodystrophy with a focus on the metabolic and cardiovascular consequences of visceral fat accumulation. Dr Grinspoon is the author of more than 200 peer-reviewed publications and serves as the chief of the Massachusetts General Metabolism Unit and the director of the Nutrition Obesity Research Center at Harvard. Dr Grinspoon and Dr Saag discuss the latest findings from the REPRIEVE trial and provide updates on statin guidelines for people with HIV as well as providing insights into cardiovascular risk management. They discuss the safety and efficacy of statins and the role of cardiovascular risk calculators in clinical practice in addition to discussing the impact of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and inflammation on cardiovascular risk. Dr Grinspoon also offers his outlook for where further research is needed based on the outcomes of the REPRIEVE trial.

0:00 – Introduction

1:33 – Overview of the REPRIEVE trial findings

2:44 – Changes in statin guidelines for people with HIV

6:51 – Safety and efficacy of statins

9:09 – Use of statins and diabetes risk

11:16 – Cardiovascular risk calculators

16:00 – Statin use and blood pressure

17:14 – Impact of LDL cholesterol and inflammation on cardiovascular risk

24:08 – Future directions in cardiovascular research for people with HIV

Resources:

Going anti-Viral: Episode 56 – Cardiovascular Health in People with HIV – Dr Steven Grinspoon

Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-management-of-cardiovascular-health-in-patients/id1713226144?i=1000725697103

YouTube:

https://youtu.be/297vweZ5bjQ

REPRIEVE Trial:

https://www.reprievetrial.org/

__________________________________________________

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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In episode 82 of Going anti-Viral, Dr Tyler Evans joins host Dr Michael Saag to discuss the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda and the global response. Dr Evans is an infectious diseases and addiction medicine physician and CEO of Wellness Equity Alliance, a national organization advancing health equity in the US and globally. He is also an associate professor of population and public health sciences at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine and the author of Pandemics, Poverty, and Politics, which examines how socially and politically determined inequalities, have consistently precipitated pandemics and public health emergencies. Dr Evans’ work spans street medicine, HIV/AIDS care, and humanitarian response in complex emergencies, including 2 Ebola response missions. Dr Evans and Dr Saag discuss the current Ebola outbreak, its transmission, challenges in containment, and the likelihood for a vaccine. They also explore the impact of public trust on care and provide an update on the response from US and international agencies including a discussion of the risk for the outbreak to spread globally.

0:00 – Introduction

1:33 – Understanding Ebola: transmission and symptoms

3:05 – Containment strategies for Ebola outbreaks

7:39 – Challenges in surveillance and response

11:09 – Urban spread of Ebola: risks and concerns

12:43 – Vaccination strategies and developments

15:58 – Conditions in treatment centers and the impact of public trust in the outbreak

21:04 – Update on the response from US and international agencies and risk of spread to the US and globally

Resources:

Pandemics, Poverty, and Politics: https://www.tylerevansmd.com/

Wellness Equity Alliance: https://www.wellnessequityalliance.com/

__________________________________________________

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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In episode 81 of Going anti-Viral, Dr Steven Deeks joins host Dr Michael Saag to discuss recent research demonstrating the promise of a single shot in a functional cure of HIV. Dr Deeks is a Professor of Medicine in Residence at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and is a faculty member in the Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases and Global Medicine at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. He is an internationally recognized expert on HIV pathogenesis and treatment and is the contact principal investigator of the Delaney AIDS Research Enterprise (DARE), an NIH-funded international collaboratory aimed at developing therapeutic interventions to cure HIV infection. Dr Deeks and Dr Saag discuss why a cure for HIV is needed given the effectiveness antiretroviral therapy. Dr Deeks then outlines areas of research demonstrating promise for single-shot functional cures: vector immunotherapy, the use of Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cells, and stem cell approaches. Finally, Dr Deeks provides insights into future prospects in HIV cure research including his perspective on the funding and drug development landscape.

0:00 – Introduction

1:21 – The need for a cure beyond antiretroviral therapy

5:37 – Overview of 1-shot cure research

12:40 – The promise of vector immunotherapy

18:52 – Overview of the use of CAR-T cells

25:01 – The role of C-C chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5) and stem cell approaches

26:36 – Prospects for the future of HIV cure research

__________________________________________________

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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In episode 80 of Going anti-Viral, Dr Jason Zucker joins host Dr Michael Saag to provide an update on the Trichophyton mentagrophytes genotype VII (TMVII) infection. Dr Zucker is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at Columbia University and Assistant Medical Director of the New York City STD Prevention Training Center. Dr Zucker is an experienced HIV, HIV prevention, and sexual health care provider providing status-neutral care to patients of all ages in New York. His research focuses on the intersection of data science, behavioral science, and implementation science. Dr Zucker discusses the emerging dermatophyte infection TMVII, its transmission, clinical presentation, and diagnosis. Dr Zucker and Dr Saag also detail treatment strategies, emphasizing the significance in sexual health and STI management.

0:00 – Introduction

1:21 – Background, epidemiology and transmission

5:58 – Clinical presentation and diagnosis

9:18 – Treatment protocols for TMVII

11:32 – Challenges and considerations in management of TMVII

15:38 – Future outlook and final thoughts

Resources:

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) - Notes from the Field: Trichophyton mentagrophytes Genotype VII — New York City, April–July 2024

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/wr/mm7343a5.htm

Going anti-Viral: Episode 30 - Update on Mpox - a Public Health Emergency - Dr Jason Zucker

YouTube: https://youtu.be/GTwXSvkcJ74

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-30-update-on-mpox-a-public-health-emergency/id1713226144?i=1000675771251

__________________________________________________

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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In episode 79 of Going anti-Viral, we represent a panel discussion from June 9, 2026, as part of the IAS–USA Dialogue series Emerging Infections and Health Threats. This Dialogue is a must listen as our distinguished panel of infectious disease experts dives deep into some of the most pressing public health challenges facing the world today. Moderated by Carlos del Rio, MD, a Distinguished Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Emory University School of Medicine, this Dialogue brings together world-class experts Yvonne Maldonado, MD of Stanford University, and Peter Chin-Hong, MD, of the University of California San Francisco. The panel discusses the impact of the World Cup on public health as well as providing updates on current health threats including hantavirus, Ebola, measles, alpha-gal syndrome, and influenza. The panel also provides an update on alpha-gal syndrome and tick-borne diseases, as well as a discussion about an effort by Google to control diseases spread by mosquitoes. Finally, the panelists discuss the risk of the New World screwworm fly to livestock and humans, an outbreak of Campylobacter from the consumption of raw milk, and the impact of the World Cup on influenza in the US.

0:00 – Introduction

1:32 – Impact of the World Cup travel on public health

7:10 – Lessons learned from the hantavirus outbreak

13:42 – Status of Ebola outbreak, treatment options, and vaccine development

25:18 – Update on measles in the US and public health response

37:22 – Overview of alpha-gal syndrome and tick-borne diseases

42:20 – Update on the Google Debug project

45:31 – Risk of the New World screwworm fly to livestock and humans

47:42 – Outbreak of Campylobacter from the consumption of raw milk

52:59 – Overview of influenza season in southern hemisphere and risk to the US

57:46 – 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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In episode 78 of Going anti-Viral, Dr Rajesh T. Gandhi joins host Dr Michael Saag to discuss the process of guidelines development. Dr Gandhi is a Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Principal Investigator and Co-Director of the Harvard University Center for AIDS Research (CFAR). Dr Gandhi is the Vice-Chair of the ACTG, Vice-Chair of the Infectious Diseases Society of America COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines Panel, Chair of the International Antiviral Society-USA Panel on Antiretroviral Drugs for Treatment and Prevention of HIV in Adults, and the Lead Editor for Infectious Diseases, NEJM Clinician. Dr Gandhi and Dr Saag explore the intricate process of developing HIV treatment guidelines, including evidence review, panel selection, and updates on new topics like transgender care and substance use disorders. They discuss how guidelines are created, their impact on clinical practice, and future directions in HIV care.

0:00 – Introduction

1:54 – The purpose and impact of guidelines

4:00 – Panel composition and selection process

6:00 – Guideline structure and key updates

12:34 – Emerging topics: transgender care and transplant medicine

14:31 – Substance use disorders and treatment innovations

16:03 – Evidence-based recommendations and their strength

22:07 – Guidelines development process and team dynamics

24:42 – Living guidelines versus published documents

28:41 – Closing thoughts and future directions

Resources:

Going-anti-Viral: Episode 32 - Update on the New Antiretroviral Therapy Guidelines - Dr Rajesh Gandhi

YouTube: https://youtu.be/G7FQTInz-dY

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-32-update-on-the-new-antiretroviral-therapy/id1713226144?i=1000678818027

__________________________________________________

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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In episode 77 of Going anti-Viral, Dr Debika Bhattacharya joins host Dr Michael Saag to discuss the management of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and vaccination. Dr Bhattacharya is a Clinical Professor at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) David Geffen School of Medicine and specializes in the management of HIV and HIV/viral hepatitis coinfection and sees patients with viral hepatitis and HIV/viral hepatitis coinfection at UCLA and its affiliated clinics. Her research involves viral hepatitis clinical therapeutics and long-term clinical outcomes in persons with HIV/viral hepatitis or viral hepatitis alone. Dr Saag and Dr Bhattacharya discuss HBV infection and vaccination, especially among people with HIV addressing prevalence, serology interpretation, vaccination strategies, and management of hepatitis B in the context of HIV treatment. They also reinforce the need for more research into therapies that will lead to a cure for hepatitis B.

0:00 – Introduction

1:16 – Understanding hepatitis B and its impact on people with HIV

2:56 – Vaccination strategies for hepatitis B

4:53 – Interpreting hepatitis B serology results

8:38 – Vaccination protocols and recommendations

13:19 – Managing patients with hepatitis B

14:29 – Long-acting therapies and hepatitis B risks

17:29 – Screening and monitoring for hepatitis B

19:01 – Navigating core antibody positivity

23:36 – The importance of antibody titers

28:23 – Final thoughts on hepatitis B management

Resources:

Going-anti-Viral: Episode 31 - Will we ever have a cure for hepatitis B? - Dr Kenneth Sherman

YouTube: https://youtu.be/yh48RFOrISk

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-31-will-we-ever-have-a-cure-for-hepatitis-b/id1713226144?i=1000677466892

__________________________________________________

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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In episode 76 of Going anti-Viral, Dr Kelly Gebo joins host Dr Michael Saag to discuss the impact of long-acting injectable HIV treatments on public health. Dr Gebo is Dean of the Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University. An infectious disease physician-scientist, educator, and accomplished academic leader, Dr Gebo’s work focuses on health equity, access to care, and outcomes for people affected by infectious diseases such as HIV, COVID-19, and Mpox. Dr Gebo and Dr Saag discuss the current state of HIV epidemiology, the promise of long-acting injectables, and strategies to improve access and prevention efforts. Dr Saag and Dr Gebo also emphasize that advocacy is needed to expand access to long-acting injectable HIV treatments to reach at-risk populations.

0:00 – Introduction

1:30 – Current epidemiology of HIV: a global and US perspective

3:25 – Barriers to HIV screening and treatment

6:27 – Exploring PrEP and long-acting injectables

8:56 – Reaching at-risk populations for HIV prevention

11:33 – Insurance coverage and access to HIV prevention

13:59 – The role of primary care in HIV prevention

16:27 – Advocacy for policy changes in HIV prevention

23:53 – Implementation science and future directions

Resources:

The George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health

https://publichealth.gwu.edu/

__________________________________________________

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:
Apple Podcasts
YouTube
X
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...

In episode 75 of Going anti-Viral, Dr Shibani Mukerji joins host Dr Michael Saag to discuss a presentation she gave at the 2026 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) entitled Cognitive Aging in HIV: Clinical Assessment and Management. Dr Mukerji is an Associate Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School and is a practicing neurologist in the Department of Neurology and Division of Infectious Diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital. Her research focuses on HIV pathogenesis in the central nervous system and her clinical focus is neurology-infectious diseases, with specific interests in neurological complications and aging in people living with HIV. Dr Mukerji shares her journey in neurology, her research on HIV and neurological complications, and insights into brain health in aging populations, especially those with HIV. Dr Mukerji and Dr Saag offer practical approaches to cognitive assessment, sleep, mood, and movement issues, emphasizing a longitudinal, patient-centered model of care.

0:00 – Introduction

2:07 – Dr Mukerji 's journey in neurology and infectious diseases

7:39 – Cognitive aging in HIV: clinical assessment and management

13:26 – Understanding cognitive health in HIV patients

18:29 – Assessment and management of depression, sleep, and movement disorders

26:26 – Impact of hearing loss and emotional health on cognitive impairment

31:15 – The Valcour tripod: cognitive, motor, and mood assessment

34:15 – Future directions in HIV and neurology research

Resources:

CROI 2026: https://www.croiconference.org/

View Dr Mukerji 's presentation at CROI 2026: https://www.croiwebcasts.org/p/2026croi/croi/20

View Presentation by Dr Victor Valcour at CROI 2019: https://www.croiwebcasts.org/p/2019croi/159

__________________________________________________

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:
Apple Podcasts
YouTube
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Facebook
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...

In episode 74 of Going anti-Viral, Dr John Frater joins host Dr Michael Saag to discuss a presentation he gave at the 2026 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) entitled Immunology of HIV Cure and Beyond: Navigating Immunology Presentations at CROI 2026. Dr Frater is a Professor of Infectious Diseases at the University of Oxford where he leads the HIV Reservoir and Cure Group. The aim of his research is to explore strategies for targeting the reservoir of latent HIV infection in treated individuals, with a specific interest in primary HIV infection. He is a lead investigator on several major HIV clinical studies, many of which include antiretroviral therapy treatment interruptions. His laboratory focus is on immune responses that may lead to viral control and the impact of viral variation. Dr Frater and Dr Saag discuss the basics of HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy as well as the barriers to HIV cure. They also address complexities of HIV latency and the challenges in identifying and eliminating latent reservoirs. Dr Frater addresses the promising strategies involving immune responses in targeting reservoirs and the role of early treatment in HIV cure.

0:00 – Introduction

2:15 – Basics of HIV infection and the barrier to HIV cure: latently infected cells

3:56 – Why do some cells die after 1 day

6:04 – Strategies to identify and eliminate latently infected cells

8:52 – The role of immune responses in targeting reservoirs

11:42 – Timing of reservoir establishment and early treatment

16:49 – Measuring the latent reservoir: challenges and methods

18:16 – The London Patient and cure evidence

22:14 – Future directions and hope for HIV cure

Resources:

CROI 2026: https://www.croiconference.org/

View Dr Frater’s presentation at CROI 2026: https://www.croiwebcasts.org/p/2026croi/croi/CR-55003

__________________________________________________

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:
Apple Podcasts
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...

In episode 73 of Going anti-Viral, we represent a panel discussion from March 26, 2026, as part of the IAS–USA Dialogue series Emerging Infections and Health Threats. This Dialogue is a must listen as our distinguished panel of infectious disease experts dives deep into some of the most pressing public health challenges facing the world today. Moderated by Carlos del Rio, MD, a Distinguished Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Emory University School of Medicine, this Dialogue brings together world-class experts Yvonne Maldonado, MD, and Peter Chin-Hong, MD. The panel discusses a recent federal court ruling regarding the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and addresses the latest news on rates of vaccination and an update on emerging viral outbreaks, including measles, influenza, COVID-19, meningitis, tuberculosis, mpox, and RSV. The panel also reflects on the implications of the lack of leadership at the CDC on public health.

0:00 – Introduction

2:33 – March 2026 federal court ruling pausing the work of the ACIP

7:08 – Review of the reduction in immunization rates in the US

12:51 – Measles cases in the US and efforts to address misinformation

20:28 – Breaking down recent influenza rates

25:42 – Update on COVID-19 – variants and vaccination

33:42 – Leadership gap at the CDC and implications for public health

41:35 – Meningitis outbreak in England and status of vaccination in the US

49:46 – Increase in cases of tuberculosis in the US

56:45 – Update on mpox cases and vaccination

59:12 – Brief review of RSV cases and vaccination 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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...

In episode 72 of Going anti-Viral, Dr Alan Winston joins host Dr Michael Saag to discuss a presentation he gave at the 2026 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) entitled Neurodegeneration and Dementia Risk in Older Adults With HIV: Biomarkers and Epidemiology. Dr Winston is a Professor of HIV and Genitourinary Medicine at Imperial College London and Consultant Physician at St. Mary's Hospital, London. His research focuses on noninfectious comorbidities associated with HIV in the modern antiretroviral era, with a strong focus on central nervous system complications. He is the principal clinical investigator on the POPPY study, a cohort study describing the incidence and nature of comorbidities in HIV. Dr Winston and Dr Saag discuss the history and current understanding of neurodegeneration and dementia risk in older adults with HIV and review the impact of antiretroviral therapy and neuroinflammation. They review clinical assessment and screening for dementia and neurodegenerative disease including a detailed discussion of imaging techniques and cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) examination.

0:00 – Introduction

1:30 – HIV and neurodegeneration

4:37 – Current manifestations of CNS disease in older adults with HIV

8:28 – Assessing cognitive health in older adults with HIV

12:29 – Screening for dementia and neurodegenerative disease

18:20 – Neuropsychometric testing, CSF examination, and management of CSF escape

24:23 – Imaging techniques and future directions

Resources:

CROI 2026: https://www.croiconference.org/

__________________________________________________

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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...

In episode 71 of Going anti-Viral, Dr Peter Hunt joins host Dr Michael Saag to provide a review of the science presented at the 2026 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI). Dr Hunt is a Professor of Medicine at the University of California San Francisco and is the Associate Chief for Research in the Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital Department of Medicine, and Co-Director of the UCSF-Bay Area Center for AIDS Research for Basic and Translational Science. He was also a Vice Chair of the Scientific Program Committee for CROI 2026. Dr Hunt provides an in-depth overview of the key scientific presentations at CROI, highlighting breakthroughs in HIV research, pediatric HIV treatment, biology of the HIV capsid, vaccine research, and innovative therapies. Dr Hunt and Dr Saag also discussed new antiretroviral formulations and highlights of the state of HIV cure research.

0:00 – Introduction

1:13 – Valganciclovir in infants with HIV and CMV pneumonia

4:25 – Differences between pediatric and adult CMV infection

7:34 – Plenary by Dr Wesley Sundquist on structural biology and the HIV capsid

12:00 – Other plenary presentations at CROI 2026

14:27 – Powerful Martin Delaney presentation by Peter Staley

15:50 – Plenary by Dr Jeanne Marrazzo on Doxy PEP and resistance concerns

16:30 – Vaccine development and neutralizing antibodies by Dr Kevin Saunders

17:25 – New symposium: Hot Takes on the Clinical Highlights of CROI 2026

19:38 – New antiretroviral formulations and long-acting agents

25:10 – HIV cure research, overview of TACK agents, and a poster on an efavirenz intensification study

28:39 – A look ahead to CROI 2027 and closing remarks

Resources:

Watch Peter Staley's presentation at CROI 2026 YouTube

Going-anti-Viral: Episode 70 - Peter Staley Apple Podcasts

Going-anti-Viral: Episode 69 - Dr Kevin Saunders Apple Podcasts

CROI 2026: https://www.croiconference.org/

__________________________________________________

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:
Apple Podcasts
YouTube
X
Facebook
Instagram
...