Let's Talk Micro - TopPodcast.com

Latest Episodes:

208: The Microbiome Center of Puerto Rico Oct 16, 2025

Show notes

Puerto Rico is entering a new era in microbiome research. In this episode, Luis speaks with Dr. Filipa Godoy-Vitorino about the newly established Microbiome Center of Puerto Rico — a hub designed to strengthen research, collaboration, and training across the Caribbean.

Dr. Godoy-Vitorino shares how the center is helping scientists access expertise in bioinformatics and data analysis, offering bilingual workshops, and expanding representation of Caribbean populations in global microbiome studies. She also discusses the center's vision to connect with international partners, support local innovation, and create opportunities for the next generation of researchers.

🎧 Tune in to learn how this center is putting Puerto Rico on the global microbiome map.

Resources and articles mentioned:

The Microbiota Vault: microbiotavault.org
ISME (International Society for Microbial Ecology): isme-microbes.org
ISALA Project (University of Antwerp): isala.be
"Solutions to expand microbiome sciences in the Caribbean Region: an insider's perspective" by Filipa Godoy-Vitorino — Trends in Microbiology, 2025. View PDF / Article: ScienceDirect link ScienceDirect

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207: Micro Lab and Stewardship: Collaboration in Action (Pt.2) Oct 09, 2025

Show notes

In this second half of our discussion with Dr. Erin McCreary and Dr. Hannah Creager, we dive deeper into how microbiology and antimicrobial stewardship teams collaborate to improve patient outcomes.

They unpack how to prioritize breakpoint updates, the pros and cons of cascade reporting, and what nudges can do to guide better prescribing. Then we explore a powerful example of collaboration—the transition from MRSA agar to PCR across hospitals—and what it taught both teams about communication, resource sharing, and patient safety.

Finally, Erin and Hannah reflect on lessons learned, first steps for building collaboration, and even share their favorite microbes (spoiler: both picked viruses!).

🎧 Tune in to learn how intentional teamwork between the lab and stewardship can transform patient care and lab efficiency.

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Website: letstalkmicro.com
Questions or feedback? Email me at letstalkmicro@outlook.com

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206: Micro Lab and Stewardship: Collaboration in Action (Pt.1) Oct 02, 2025

Show notes

Good communication isn't optional—it's essential for patient care. In Part 1 of this two-part series, Dr. Erin McCreary and Dr. Hannah Creager join Luis to talk about how microbiology labs and antimicrobial stewardship teams can collaborate more effectively. They share real-world examples from their system-wide work—aligning AST panels and breakpoints across multiple platforms, navigating reporting challenges like the clindamycin D-test and rifampin comments, and building consistent communication through monthly micro–stewardship meetings. It's a behind-the-scenes look at how strong collaboration turns into better patient outcomes.

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205: Complicated UTIs: The New IDSA Guidelines Sep 25, 2025

Show notes

The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) has released new guidelines for the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections. In this episode, we break down the key updates:

Changes to the definition of complicated UTIs
The role of newer antibiotic agents
How and when to use antibiograms
A four-step framework for guiding therapy
When carbapenems are necessary—and when other options may be just as effective
Shorter durations of therapy

Join Dr. Barbara Trautner, Dr. Nicolas Cortés-Penfield, and Dr. Kalpana Gupta as they discuss what these guidelines mean for clinicians, microbiologists, and patients.

👉 Stay tuned until the end for a special announcement.

Resources from this episode:

2025 cUTI IDSA guidelines

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204: In the Bloodstream: Diagnosing Infections Faster Sep 18, 2025

Show notes

Bloodstream infections can progress rapidly to sepsis—bringing high costs, high mortality, and lasting effects. In the second episode of this series in collaboration with bioMérieux, Luis speaks with Dr. Jeff Cies, Senior Medical Advisor at bioMérieux, about how molecular diagnostics are reshaping bloodstream infection diagnosis.

They discuss:

Limitations of traditional blood cultures
How rapid molecular tests deliver results faster than ever
The impact on outcomes, costs, and antimicrobial resistance
The role of stewardship programs in maximizing results
What the future holds: direct-from-blood testing, nanotechnology, and AI

A powerful look at how innovation in microbiology is changing the fight against sepsis and saving lives.

This episode is sponsored by bioMérieux, a global innovator in infectious disease diagnostics.

Resources from this episode:

bioMérieux Sepsis Webinar

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203: What's New with Brucella? Sep 11, 2025

Show notes

Brucella is a familiar name in the lab—but recent updates to the sentinel guidelines are reshaping how we approach this pathogen. In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Laura Filkins and Dr. Paige Larkin to discuss the latest changes: updates in nomenclature, the removal of certain Brucella species from the select agent list, and the renewed emphasis on safety in the lab. We dive into taxonomy controversies, clinical features of brucellosis, and practical steps laboratorians can take to protect themselves while delivering accurate results. Whether you're a student, laboratorian, or clinician, this conversation highlights what you need to know about the evolving landscape of Brucella diagnostics and safety.

Resources from this episode:

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202: AI vs. Superbugs: Can AI Help? Sep 04, 2025

Show notes

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) continues to grow as a global health threat, making infections harder to treat and leaving fewer options for patients. The need for new antibiotics is an urgent matter — but traditional discovery methods are slow and limited.

In this episode of Let's Talk Micro, Luis is joined by Dr. James Collins, professor at MIT and researcher at the Broad Institute, who is leading efforts to apply AI to antibiotic discovery. We discuss how his team used deep learning to uncover promising new compounds, including NG1 and DN1, which showed activity against drug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Staphylococcus aureus. We also talk about the challenges of bringing discoveries from computer models to the clinic, and what this approach could mean for the future of the fight against superbugs.

Link to study: https://www.cell.com/cell/abstract/S0092-8674%2825%2900855-4

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201: Spotlight: Rethinking AST-Disk Diffusion on Early Growth Aug 28, 2025

Show notes

Last week, we discussed early growth isolates for antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) and the importance of obtaining results sooner. This week, we revisit an earlier study that looked at early growth but using disk diffusion.

In this episode, I was joined by Dr. Carey-Ann Burnham, Dr. Daniel Webber, and Meghan Wallace to discuss their work. Tune in to hear how this approach could help deliver AST results faster, the challenges of adopting early growth methods, and what it means for clinical microbiology labs.

This episode was originally released in 2022 (Episode 39: "Talking disk diffusion performed on early growth").

Link to disk diffusion study: https://doi.org/10.1128/jcm.03007-20

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200: Early Growth, Faster Answers: Rethinking AST Aug 21, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Let's Talk Micro, Dr. Jennifer Dien Bard and Dr. Lucas Osborn discuss their recent study on early growth antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST). Traditional AST often requires 18–24 hours of incubation of isolates, delaying targeted treatment. Their research shows that using 6-hour early growth isolates with both automated and manual methods delivers accurate results up to 18 hours faster—without added costs or specialized equipment.

The conversation explores the study design, agreement rates with standard methods, and what faster AST means for patient care and antimicrobial stewardship.

Link to study: https://doi.org/10.1128/jcm.00236-25

Link to disk diffusion study: https://doi.org/10.1128/jcm.03007-20

Check out the website: https://www.letstalkmicro.com/

Questions? Feedback? Send those to letstalkmicro@outlook.com

Want to support the podcast? Here's how:

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199: Antibiotics: What's New in Treatment Aug 14, 2025

Show notes

This week, Luis is joined by Dr. Ashlan Kunz-Coyne to discuss some of the newest antibiotics for urinary tract infections (UTIs). They explore why extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) are a growing concern, the impact of E. coli sequence type 131, and where new agents like cefepime–enmetazobactam, sulopenem, and tebipenem fit into treatment. The conversation also highlights clinical data, stewardship considerations, and how the infectious diseases and microbiology communities can work together to preserve these options. Plus, Dr. Kunz-Coyne reveals her favorite bug—Stenotrophomonas maltophilia—and why it's unlike any other.

Link to sulopenem episode: https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/35868135

Check out the website: https://www.letstalkmicro.com/

Questions? Feedback? Send those to letstalkmicro@outlook.com

Want to support the podcast? Here's how:

Venmo: https://venmo.com/u/letstalkmicro

Buy me a Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/letstalkmicro