Libsyn Directory

249: Micro Minutes: CLSI M100: Beyond S, I, and R

Release Date: 10/22/2026

252: Acid-Fast Bacilli (AFB): An Introduction

Let's Talk Micro

It's time to revisit acid-fast bacilli (AFB)! What is acid-fastness? What stains are used to detect AFB, and how are AFB cultures processed? In this episode of Let's Talk Micro, Luis revisits a conversation with Dr. Filipe Muniz (Cerqueira) about the fundamentals of AFB. They discuss acid-fast staining, specimen processing, culture media, and the Runyon groups. Dr. Muniz also discusses nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), including examples of clinically relevant organisms and their characteristics. Whether you're new to clinical microbiology or looking for a refresher, tune in to this episode...

251: Cyclospora Outbreak 2026: Behind the Laboratory Response

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In 2026, a multistate outbreak of cyclosporiasis led to a significant increase in testing across clinical and public health laboratories. How did laboratories recognize the increase in cases? What diagnostic approaches were used, and how did laboratory data contribute to the outbreak investigation? In this episode of Let's Talk Micro, Luis is joined by Dr. Anisha Misra from Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Marie-Claire Rowlinson from bioMérieux, and Dr. Duane Newton from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to discuss the laboratory response to the 2026 Cyclospora outbreak. The...

250: Metallo-β-Lactamases: The Rise of NDM and Beyond

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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...

249: Micro Minutes: CLSI M100: Beyond S, I, and R

Let's Talk Micro

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...

248: Micro Minutes: What's in a name- Bacterial Groups and Complexes

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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...

247: Digital Biology: Data Quality in the Age of AI

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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...

246: Inside ATCC: From Biological Materials to the Bench

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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...

World Rabies Day: Revisiting Rabies with Dr. Rodney Rohde

Let's Talk Micro

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...

245: Antimicrobials Conference: The Next Chapter for MAD-ID and SIDP

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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...

244: Group A Strep: Breaking Down the New IDSA Guidelines

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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...

More Episodes

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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