Let's Talk Micro

Metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs) have become an increasingly important topic in clinical microbiology and infectious diseases. While these enzymes were once encountered relatively infrequently in the United States, their epidemiology is changing, with NDM-producing organisms becoming more common. What makes metallo-β-lactamases different from other carbapenemases? Why are infections caused by MBL-producing organisms particularly challenging to treat? And what new treatment options are becoming available?

In this episode of Let's Talk Micro, Luis is joined by Dr. Ryan Shields and Dr. Emily Heil to discuss metallo-β-lactamases and their growing clinical significance. They explore the differences between serine β-lactamases and MBLs, review important enzymes such as NDM, VIM, and IMP, and discuss the challenges associated with treating infections caused by MBL-producing organisms. The conversation also covers emerging treatment options, including aztreonam-avibactam and cefepime-zidebactam, and highlights the importance of identifying specific carbapenemases to guide antimicrobial therapy.

Join us for a discussion on the evolving landscape of metallo-β-lactamases and the essential role of the clinical microbiology laboratory in patient care.

Guests:

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Ryan Shields, PharmD — University of Pittsburgh

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Emily Heil, PharmD — University of Maryland School of Pharmacy and University of Maryland Medical Center

Additional Reading:

McCreary EK, Heil EL, Aitken SL, et al. The global epidemiology and treatment of metallo-β-lactamase-producing gram-negative pathogens. JAC-Antimicrobial Resistance. 2026;8(5).

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42876900/

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When you open CLSI M100, what are you usually looking for? Susceptibility breakpoints? But did you know there's much more information available beyond susceptible, intermediate, and resistant interpretations?

In this episode of Micro Minutes, we explore useful information found throughout CLSI M100, including its tables, comments, and appendices. From intrinsic resistance and predicting susceptibility to other antimicrobials to understanding why certain agents should not be reported as susceptible, we highlight practical examples that can help clinical microbiology professionals interpret antimicrobial susceptibility results.

Whether you're a student or an experienced laboratory professional, join us as we take a closer look at CLSI M100 and discover what's beyond S, I, and R.

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Have you ever performed an organism identification using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and received a result showing multiple possible species, such as Enterobacter cloacae and Enterobacter asburiae, or Citrobacter freundii and Citrobacter werkmanii? Why does this happen? What do these organisms have in common, and why are they classified into groups or complexes?

In this episode of Micro Minutes, Luis explores bacterial groups and species complexes, why they exist, and how they relate to organism identification. He discusses several familiar and lesser-known examples, including the Enterobacter cloacae complex, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus–baumannii complex, Klebsiella pneumoniae species complex, Citrobacter freundii complex, and Pseudomonas putida group.

The episode also highlights the Burkholderia cepacia complex and why species-level identification can be particularly important in patients with cystic fibrosis.

Finally, learn why reporting an organism at the group or complex level is often appropriate, when additional identification may be necessary, and why understanding the capabilities and limitations of your identification system matters.

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As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly integrated into biological research, the quality of the data used to develop these technologies is more important than ever. But what exactly is digital biology, and why does data quality matter?

In this episode of Let's Talk Micro, Luis is joined by Jonathan Jacobs, PhD, Senior Director of Bioinformatics at ATCC, to explore digital biology and the challenges associated with biological and genomic data. Dr. Jacobs discusses the importance of metadata, common issues with publicly available genomic databases, and why connecting digital information to authenticated biological materials is essential for reproducibility and reliable research.

The conversation also explores how data quality can affect AI models, the role of existing standards, and what researchers can do to improve the accuracy, completeness, and usefulness of the data they generate and share.

And, as always, stay until the end to hear Dr. Jacobs' favorite microorganism and what makes it so fascinating to him!

Resources Learn more about ATCC: https://www.atcc.org/

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Many microbiology professionals are familiar with ATCC strains used for quality control, validation, and verification—but what happens before those biological materials reach the laboratory? ATCC, the American Type Culture Collection, maintains biological materials used by scientists and laboratories around the world.

In this episode of Let's Talk Micro, Luis is joined by Dr. Shahin Ali, Senior Scientist at ATCC, to take a closer look at the work behind biological reference materials. Dr. Ali discusses how ATCC identifies and acquires microorganisms, what characteristics are considered when adding them to the collection, and how materials are authenticated, characterized, preserved, and maintained over time.

The conversation also explores expert curation and complete provenance, why authenticated reference materials are important for laboratory quality and reproducibility, and how individual strains of the same species can have meaningful differences. Luis and Dr. Ali also discuss antimicrobial resistance, the growing importance of genomic and metadata quality, and how curated biological collections may support AI-driven research in the future.

And, as always, stay until the end to hear Dr. Ali's favorite microorganism—and the personal connection behind his answer.

Resources Learn more about ATCC: https://www.atcc.org/

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Originally published on September 28, 2022, this episode returns to the Let's Talk Micro feed in recognition of World Rabies Day.

Dr. Rodney Rohde joins the podcast to discuss rabies and his extensive experience working with the virus in public health. We start with the basics: What is rabies? How is it transmitted? What are the signs and symptoms? From there, we discuss potential exposures, post-exposure prophylaxis, vaccination, and ways to prevent rabies. Dr. Rohde also shares his experience working in rabies diagnostics and molecular epidemiology, as well as his involvement with wildlife rabies vaccination efforts.

We also discuss the importance of recognizing potential exposures, the role of wildlife—particularly bats—and considerations when traveling to areas where rabies may be more prevalent.

Finally, what is World Rabies Day, and why is it observed on September 28? Dr. Rohde discusses the history and significance of the day and the importance of education, prevention, and collaboration in the fight against rabies.

Tune in as we revisit this conversation and learn more about rabies.

Resources

World Rabies Day: https://rabiesalliance.org/world-rabies-day

Dr. Rohde's rabies book: https://www.elsevier.com/books/rabies/wilson/978-0-323-63979-8

Dr. Rohde's website: https://rodneyerohde.wp.txstate.edu/

Related publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33659941/

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MAD-ID (Making a Difference in Infectious Diseases) and the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists (SIDP) have joined forces to create a new annual meeting focused on antimicrobial therapeutics, stewardship, infectious diseases, and more.

In this episode of Let's Talk Micro, Luis is joined by Dr. Erin McCreary and Dr. Mike Rybak to discuss the history of MAD-ID and SIDP, what brought the two organizations together, and highlights from their 2026 meeting. They also discuss sessions relevant to clinical microbiology, practical approaches to applying new science, opportunities for networking and trainees, and what attendees can expect as the meeting moves forward under its new name: Antimicrobials Conference.

Resources

MAD-ID: https://www.mad-id.org/

Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists (SIDP): https://sidp.org/

Information on upcoming Antimicrobials Conference meetings: https://sidp.org/annualmeetings

Want to check out the Breakpoints podcast? https://breakpoints-sidp.org/

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Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is a common cause of pharyngitis, but deciding who should be tested and which testing method to use isn't always straightforward. In 2025, the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) released updated guidelines on Group A streptococcal pharyngitis, bringing renewed attention to diagnostic stewardship and the use of clinical scoring systems to help guide testing decisions.

In this episode of Let's Talk Micro, Dr. Christopher Doern returns to the podcast to break down the updated IDSA guidelines and what they may mean for clinical practice. We discuss clinical scoring systems such as Centor and McIsaac, antigen testing, culture, molecular diagnostics, and point-of-care testing. We also explore turnaround time and cost considerations, GAS carriage and the interpretation of positive results, and how diagnostic decisions connect with antimicrobial stewardship.

Tune in as we take a practical look at what's changing in Group A strep testing and how laboratories and clinicians can approach these updated recommendations.

This podcast episode is sponsored by Cepheid. The views and opinions expressed by the interviewer in this interview are their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of Cepheid.

Resources

IDSA Clinical Practice Guideline Update on Group A Streptococcal (GAS) Pharyngitis: IDSA 2025 Group A Streptococcal Pharyngitis Guideline

Current Laboratory and Point-of-Care Pharyngitis Diagnostic Testing and Knowledge Gaps: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39688598/

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Artificial intelligence is changing how healthcare professionals access and use clinical information. But what does that look like at the point of care?

In this episode of Let's Talk Micro, Luis is joined by Dr. Declan Kelly, physician, software engineer, and founder of Eolas Medical, to discuss the role of AI in clinical decision support. Dr. Kelly shares how challenges accessing institutional guidelines and clinical knowledge led to the development of Eolas Medical and how AI can help healthcare professionals find the information they need when making clinical decisions.

The conversation explores the importance of local guidelines, the connection between the clinical microbiology laboratory and antimicrobial stewardship, and how AI can help bridge the gap between laboratory data, institutional knowledge, and patient care. They also discuss evidence supporting these technologies, concerns surrounding AI hallucinations and clinical safety, and how clinical decision support may evolve in the years ahead.

Tune in to learn how AI is changing the way clinical knowledge is accessed and what that could mean for the future of healthcare.

This episode is brought to you in collaboration with Eolas Medical.

Eolas Medical is a clinical knowledge platform founded by physician Dr. Declan Kelly, who saw firsthand how hard it can be to find trusted guidance at the point of care. Using AI grounded exclusively in an organization's own approved protocols and guidelines, Eolas gives clinicians fast, accurate answers instead of generic search results. It is used across 90% of acute NHS trusts and 600+ sites globally, including Stanford and Mass General Brigham. For antimicrobial stewardship, a peer-reviewed study published in Nature Portfolio's npj Antimicrobials and Resistance found prescribing accuracy improved from 47% to 100% with Ask Eolas at the point of care.

Resources

Eolas Medical: https://www.eolasmedical.com/

Study — Enhancing quality of antimicrobial prescribing through 'Ask Eolas' (language model): a user-testing and simulation evaluation: https://www.nature.com/articles/s44259-026-00187-7

Summary of study: Eolas Medical — Summary of the study and implications for antimicrobial stewardship

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Let's Talk Micro is back for a new season! In this season premiere, Luis is joined by Dr. Megan Amerson-Brown to discuss the important connection between clinical microbiology and infection prevention.

Dr. Amerson-Brown shares her career journey from the microbiology bench to infection prevention and ultimately laboratory leadership. She discusses how microbiologists contribute to infection prevention through surveillance, diagnostic stewardship, outbreak investigations, and collaboration with infection prevention teams.

The conversation also explores how laboratorians can become more involved in infection prevention while remaining in the laboratory, resources and certifications for those interested in the field, the importance of mentorship, and potential career pathways for microbiologists considering a transition into infection prevention.

Tune in to the season premiere and learn more about the role microbiologists play in infection prevention and the opportunities available both at and beyond the bench.

Additional Resources

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a-IPC™ (Associate – Infection Prevention and Control) Examination — Information about the entry-level infection prevention and control certification discussed during the episode.

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CIC® (Certification in Infection Control and Epidemiology) Examination — Information about the CIC certification examination.

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APIC – Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology — Education, career development, and other resources for infection prevention professionals.

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Recorded live at ASM Microbe 2026 in Washington, DC, this special episode marks the first live recording of Let's Talk Micro. Joining me are co-host Dr. Andrea Prinzi and guest Dr. Nathan Ledeboer for a discussion on the evolving role of whole genome sequencing (WGS) in clinical microbiology and antimicrobial resistance.

Can whole genome sequencing predict antimicrobial susceptibility? What are its current limitations? How close are we to incorporating WGS into routine clinical microbiology laboratories? Throughout the conversation, we explore the opportunities and challenges of implementing sequencing technologies, including bioinformatics, workflow, reimbursement, and the need for continued collaboration between microbiologists, infectious diseases specialists, pharmacists, and antimicrobial stewardship teams.

We also discuss how WGS may transform outbreak investigations, epidemiologic surveillance, and the future role of the clinical microbiologist as advanced diagnostics become increasingly integrated into patient care.

Whether you're a bench microbiologist, laboratory leader, infectious diseases professional, or student, this episode offers an exciting look at where clinical microbiology is headed and what whole genome sequencing can realistically tell us about antimicrobial resistance.

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En este episodio en español de Let's Talk Micro, Luis conversa nuevamente con el Dr. Germán Esparza sobre los cambios más relevantes incluidos en la edición 2026 del documento CLSI M100. Durante la conversación, revisan nuevas opciones terapéuticas como aztreonam-avibactam, actualizaciones en los puntos de corte para Acinetobacter y Neisseria gonorrhoeae, cambios en aminoglucósidos, consideraciones de control de calidad y los desafíos asociados con las pruebas de susceptibilidad para el complejo Burkholderia cepacia.

Además, discuten cómo los laboratorios pueden evaluar e implementar estos cambios de manera segura, la importancia de la colaboración con los programas de optimización de antimicrobianos y ofrecen un adelanto de la próxima edición del documento CLSI M45.

Temas discutidos:

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Aztreonam-avibactam y resistencia antimicrobiana

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Actualizaciones de puntos de corte y pruebas de susceptibilidad

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Control de calidad e implementación de cambios en el laboratorio

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Avances y perspectivas para CLSI M45

🔗 Recursos

Acceda gratuitamente al CLSI M100: https://em100.edaptivedocs.net/Login.aspx

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ASM Microbe is the largest microbiology meeting in the United States, bringing together thousands of scientists, laboratorians, clinicians, and industry partners to discuss the latest advances in microbiology.

In this episode, Luis shares highlights from ASM Microbe 2026, including sessions on diagnostic challenges, antimicrobial resistance, rapid susceptibility testing, emerging therapeutics, laboratory automation, phage therapy, and whole-genome sequencing. Topics include a Brucella case that reinforces the importance of Gram stain interpretation, updates on resistance mechanisms in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and KPC-producing organisms, advances in rapid AST, and innovations showcased in the vendor hall.

Luis also discusses several posters that caught his attention, covering pharyngeal gonorrhea, direct-from-specimen susceptibility testing, phage testing, rapid resistance reporting for Mycobacterium abscessus, and CRISPR-based diagnostics for bloodstream infections.

Whether you attended ASM Microbe 2026 or couldn't make it this year, this episode provides a practical overview of some of the trends, technologies, and conversations shaping the future of clinical microbiology.

Topics Discussed:

• Diagnostic challenges in clinical microbiology • Rapid identification and susceptibility testing • Antimicrobial resistance and emerging therapies • ESKAPE pathogens and Pseudomonas aeruginosa • Laboratory automation and AI-assisted workflows • Phage therapy and phage susceptibility testing • Whole-genome sequencing and CRISPR diagnostics

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What does it take to go from working at the bench to becoming a future clinical microbiology laboratory director?

In this episode, Luis is joined by Dr. Mackenzie Collins, a CPEP fellow at UCLA, to discuss her journey from Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) to PhD scientist and CPEP fellow. Mackenzie shares how she discovered laboratory medicine, her experience working as an MLS in molecular microbiology, and the mentors and opportunities that helped shape her career path.

The conversation explores the CPEP fellowship, the role of laboratory directors, and how MLS professionals can strengthen their applications through projects, research, presentations, and professional involvement. Mackenzie also discusses her PhD work involving HIV reservoirs and long-read sequencing, and why genomics and molecular diagnostics will continue to play an increasingly important role in clinical microbiology.

Whether you're considering graduate school, interested in the CPEP fellowship, or exploring career paths in laboratory medicine, this episode offers a firsthand look at one MLS's journey from the bench to clinical microbiology leadership.

Topics discussed:

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The MLS-to-CPEP pathway and transitioning from the bench to graduate school

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Mentorship, professional development, and building a competitive application

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The role of clinical microbiology laboratory directors and career opportunities beyond the bench

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Sequencing, genomics, and the future of clinical microbiology

Additional Resources

CPEP Fellowship Overview with Dr. Sam Goodfellow Interested in learning more about the CPEP Fellowship? In this episode, Dr. Sam Goodfellow discusses the structure of the program, the application process, and what to expect from CPEP training.

https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/36395120

Understanding the ABMM Certification Examination Learn more about the American Board of Medical Microbiology (ABMM) certification, its importance for future laboratory directors, and what candidates can expect from the examination process.

https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/35868345

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Have you ever received an identification result that just didn't make sense?

In this episode, Luis shares three cases of mistaken identity from the microbiology laboratory: a Gram-positive rod identified as Kocuria, another reported as Sphingomonas, and a yeast that somehow became Brucella. While automated identification systems are powerful tools, they can only work with the information we provide.

These examples highlight an important lesson for every microbiologist: always correlate the identification with the Gram stain, colony morphology, and other bench observations. When the result doesn't fit, take a step back and ask a simple question:

Does it make sense?

Join us for a quick Micro Minutes on critical thinking, correlation, and why the Gram stain remains one of the most valuable tools in the microbiology laboratory.

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In Part 2 of this hantavirus series, Luis continues the conversation with Dr. Ryan Relich and Dr. Stephanie Seifert by focusing on the recent Andes virus cruise ship outbreak and what makes this hantavirus different from others.

The discussion explores the outbreak investigation, the evidence for person-to-person transmission, and why the Andes virus has received so much attention from the public health community. Ryan and Stephanie also discuss diagnostic testing, including PCR and serology, the role of public health laboratories, current treatment options, prevention strategies, and how concerned the public should be about future outbreaks.

Tune in for a closer look at Andes virus and its role in the recent cruise ship outbreak.

Stay updated: https://www.cdc.gov/hantavirus/situation-summary/index.html

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Hantaviruses have recently been in the headlines, but what exactly are they and how do they spread? In Part 1 of this hantavirus series, Luis is joined by Dr. Ryan Relich and Dr. Stephanie Seifert for a deep dive into the world of hantaviruses.

The conversation explores the basics of hantaviruses, including their ecology, rodent reservoirs, transmission, and the diseases they cause in humans. The guests also discuss Old World vs New World hantaviruses, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), environmental risk factors, climate influences, and why these infections may be underdiagnosed.

From deer mice and spillover events to aerosol transmission and public health concerns, this episode breaks down the science behind these important zoonotic viruses in a practical and approachable way.

Stay tuned next week for an episode where our guests talk about the Andes virus.

Stay updated: https://www.cdc.gov/hantavirus/situation-summary/index.html

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Workforce shortages continue to impact clinical laboratories across the country, especially in rural healthcare settings. In this episode of Let's Talk Micro, Luis is joined by Kenzi Haigler to discuss an innovative high school laboratory program designed to introduce students to laboratory medicine early and help strengthen the future workforce pipeline.

Kenzi shares her journey into the laboratory profession, her experiences working in rural healthcare, and the unique challenges small hospitals face when it comes to staffing, training, and retaining laboratory professionals. She also explains how her community came together to create a hands-on clinical laboratory assistant program that gives students exposure to phlebotomy, microscopy, waived testing, and laboratory workflows before graduation.

This conversation highlights the importance of mentorship, early exposure to laboratory medicine, and creative approaches to workforce development in clinical laboratory science.

Follow Kenzi on TikTok: @lablifewithmrsh

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In this episode of Let's Talk Micro, we close out our gram-negative cocci series by talking about the "background singers" of the group—the organisms that quietly show up on respiratory cultures and oral flora plates every day.

We explore the world of non-pathogenic Neisseria species, along with rod-shaped and coccobacillary Neisseria and Moraxella that break the classic gram-negative diplococci rule. From commensals and opportunistic pathogens to their role in respiratory cultures and bench identification, this episode focuses on how to think through these isolates in the clinical microbiology laboratory.

As always, we tie it back to the bench—because sometimes the organisms sitting quietly in the background still matter.

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This week, Let's Talk Micro is pausing the Gram-negative cocci series to talk about one of the biggest microbiology meetings of the year: ASM Microbe 2026. Luis is joined by Dr. Bobbi Pritt and Dr. Robert Tibbetts to discuss what attendees can expect from this year's meeting in Washington, DC.

The conversation covers the new meeting structure, important trends in clinical microbiology, sessions and workshops geared toward medical laboratory scientists, networking opportunities, and tips for getting the most out of the conference experience. They also discuss hot topics such as AI-driven diagnostics, whole genome sequencing, metagenomics, phage therapy, antimicrobial resistance, and the future direction of clinical microbiology.

Whether you are attending ASM Microbe for the first time or returning as a seasoned attendee, this episode offers a practical preview of what's ahead and highlights opportunities especially relevant to the clinical microbiology laboratory community.

Topics discussed:

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Changes to ASM Microbe 2026

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Sessions and workshops for MLS professionals

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AI and digital diagnostics

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Whole genome sequencing and metagenomics

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Antimicrobial resistance and AST

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Phage therapy and microbiome-focused sessions

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Networking and professional development

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Tips for first-time attendees

ASM Resources

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ASM Microbe 2026 information and registration: https://registration.experientevent.com/ShowASM261

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Volunteer opportunities with ASM: https://asm.org/about-asm/volunteer-with-asm/volunteer-with-asm

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MLS/MLT workshop information and registration: https://www.pathlms.com/asm/courses/185029

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