Episodes
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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:
Aztreonam-avibactam y resistencia antimicrobiana
Actualizaciones de puntos de corte y pruebas de susceptibilidad
Control de calidad e implementación de cambios en el laboratorio
Avances y perspectivas para CLSI M45
🔗 RecursosAcceda gratuitamente al CLSI M100: https://em100.edaptivedocs.net/Login.aspx
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Missing episodes?
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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 diagnosticsStay connected with Let's Talk Micro:
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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:
The MLS-to-CPEP pathway and transitioning from the bench to graduate school
Mentorship, professional development, and building a competitive application
The role of clinical microbiology laboratory directors and career opportunities beyond the bench
Sequencing, genomics, and the future of clinical microbiology
Additional ResourcesCPEP 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.
Stay connected with Let's Talk Micro:
Website: letstalkmicro.com
Questions or feedback? Email me at [email protected]
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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
Stay connected with Let's Talk Micro:
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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
Stay connected with Let's Talk Micro:
Website: letstalkmicro.com
Questions or feedback? Email me at [email protected]
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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.
Stay connected with Let's Talk Micro:
Website: letstalkmicro.com
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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:
Changes to ASM Microbe 2026
Sessions and workshops for MLS professionals
AI and digital diagnostics
Whole genome sequencing and metagenomics
Antimicrobial resistance and AST
Phage therapy and microbiome-focused sessions
Networking and professional development
Tips for first-time attendees
ASM ResourcesASM Microbe 2026 information and registration: https://registration.experientevent.com/ShowASM261
Volunteer opportunities with ASM: https://asm.org/about-asm/volunteer-with-asm/volunteer-with-asm
MLS/MLT workshop information and registration: https://www.pathlms.com/asm/courses/185029
Stay connected with Let's Talk Micro:
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In this episode of Let's Talk Micro, we continue our gram-negative cocci series with a closer look at Moraxella catarrhalis—better known at the bench as the hockey puck bug.
We break down what makes this organism unique, from its classic sliding colony morphology to how it behaves in different patient populations. Is it a colonizer or a pathogen? The answer depends on the clinical context. We walk through its role in pediatric infections like otitis media and sinusitis, its significance in adults—especially in COPD—and how to interpret its presence in respiratory cultures.
As always, we tie it back to the bench, discussing identification clues, culture considerations, and what it means when you see this organism on your plate.
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In this week's episode, we continue our series on gram-negative cocci and take a closer look at two of the most important organisms: Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
On the Gram stain, they may look the same—but clinically, they represent very different scenarios.
We walk through colonization, transmission, and key virulence factors, and connect them to the infections they cause—from meningitis and invasive disease to mucosal and disseminated gonococcal infections.
We also bring it back to the bench, discussing specimen source, testing approaches like NAAT and culture, and how to think through these organisms in real-world laboratory settings.
Looking to stay up to date with the latest clinical microbiology resources? Check out Wiley's ClinMicroNow—bringing trusted ASM Press content into one powerful, searchable platform :
🔗 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/book/10.1002/9781683670438?utm_source=extweb&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=lets_talk_micro_podcast_ptnr&utm_content=mid-roll-ad&utm_term=clinmicronowStay connected with Let's Talk Micro:
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In this episode we continue our gram-negative cocci series by moving beyond the plate and into modern identification methods.
From traditional systems like VITEK and RapID NH to MALDI-TOF and molecular testing, we explore how these organisms are identified in today's clinical microbiology lab. We also break down the role of NAATs and syndromic panels in detecting organisms like Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, especially in situations where culture may be delayed or negative.
This episode focuses on how these tools fit into real-world workflows—highlighting their advantages, limitations, and how to interpret results at the bench.
Stay connected with Let's Talk Micro:
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In this episode of Let's Talk Micro, we continue our gram-negative cocci series by focusing on what to do after the Gram stain. You've identified gram-negative cocci—now what?
We take a practical, bench-focused approach to working these organisms up, covering key culture media like blood agar, chocolate agar, and selective media such as Modified Thayer-Martin and Martin-Lewis. We also review collection and transport considerations, including JEMBEC and CO₂ requirements for Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
We then dive into commonly used tests, including ONPG for differentiating Neisseria lactamica and Neisseria meningitidis, the CTA test and its limitations, and the butyrate esterase test for identifying Moraxella catarrhalis.
This episode is all about building confidence at the bench—connecting what you see to what you do next.
Stay connected with Let's Talk Micro:
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In this episode of Let's Talk Micro, we kick off a new series on gram-negative cocci by starting where it all begins—the Gram stain.
Seeing gram-negative diplococci on a smear can feel intimidating, especially when you're on the bench and need to make the right call. In this episode, we focus on how to approach that moment with confidence. We walk through the key organisms you'll encounter, including Neisseria, Moraxella, and Veillonella, and discuss how morphology, specimen source, and clinical context all come together to guide your thinking. We also revisit a correction from a previous episode regarding carbohydrate utilization in Neisseria species.
This episode is all about building a strong foundation—how to think before jumping to identification.
Stay tuned for the next episode, where we'll dive into the media and tests used to identify these organisms in the lab.
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The CLSI M100 gets updated every year—but what do those changes actually mean for the microbiology lab?
In this episode of Let's Talk Micro, Luis is joined by Dr. April Bobenchik to break down the latest updates in the CLSI M100 2026 (36th edition) and how they translate into real-world lab practice.
They walk through important breakpoint changes, including aztreonam–avibactam and updates for Acinetobacter, along with new additions like trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole breakpoints for beta-hemolytic streptococci. Another notable update this year is the updated anaerobic antibiogram and how it can be used to help guide decisions in the lab. The conversation also touches on antimicrobial tiers, why some breakpoints are temporarily removed, and practical ways labs can approach implementing new updates.
If you work in clinical microbiology, this episode will help you stay current and confident with the latest M100 changes.
🔗 ResourcesAccess CLSI M100 for free: https://em100.edaptivedocs.net/Login.aspx
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Luis here with a quick update! We're taking a short break and will return the week of March 23rd. During this time, it's a great opportunity to explore the archive—Let's Talk Micro has over 200 episodes covering many topics in clinical microbiology. New episodes will be back soon. Thanks for listening and for being part of the Let's Talk Micro community.
Stay connected with Let's Talk Micro:
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Wound cultures are some of the most complex specimens encountered in the clinical microbiology laboratory. Unlike more straightforward cultures, wound specimens often contain multiple organisms, making it challenging to determine which microbes are clinically significant and which represent colonization.
In this episode of Let's Talk Micro, Luis is joined by Dr. Christopher Doern and Dr. Alexandra Bryson to discuss the wound culture guidelines from the Clinical Microbiology Procedures Handbook (CMPH) and how they can help laboratorians navigate these challenging cultures.
Together, they explore practical approaches to interpreting polymicrobial wound cultures, deciding which organisms to work up, and balancing thorough reporting with antimicrobial stewardship. The discussion also covers specimen collection challenges, the role of Gram stains in evaluating specimen quality, guidance on working up common wound pathogens, and strategies to streamline laboratory workflows.
Whether you're a student, a new microbiology technologist, or an experienced laboratorian, this episode offers practical insights to help you confidently approach wound cultures and apply CMPH guidance at the bench.
Stay connected with Let's Talk Micro:
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The Gram stain is one of the most trusted tools in clinical microbiology—but it doesn't always tell the full story.
In this Micro Minutes episode, we break down why Gram stains can sometimes be misleading and how factors like culture age, antibiotic exposure, decolorization, morphology, and arrangement can change what you see under the microscope. We also touch on classic troublemakers like Acinetobacter and tiny coccobacilli such as Pasteurella and Haemophilus, and how careful observation can keep you from jumping to the wrong conclusion.
Short, focused, and straight from the bench—this episode is all about learning how to interpret Gram stains beyond just purple and pink.
Stay connected with Let's Talk Micro:
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In this episode of Let's Talk Micro, we step beyond the microbiology bench to talk laboratory medicine, advocacy, and storytelling with fellow medical laboratory scientists and podcasters Stephanie Whitehead and Aaron Odegard.
We explore how their work on the SuperStat Podcast is helping amplify the voice of the laboratory through conversations on leadership, access, and visibility. The discussion also highlights Little Lab Learners: ABCs of Laboratory Medicine, a children's book created to introduce laboratory medicine early and inspire future lab professionals.
Together, we talk about lab career paths, the impact of automation and the pandemic on lab visibility, and why advocacy doesn't look the same for everyone—but matters now more than ever. This episode is a reminder that the lab's story doesn't end at the bench—it's one we all help tell.
📘 Learn More About Little Lab LearnersLittle Lab Learners: ABCs of Laboratory Medicine is a children's book created to introduce laboratory medicine early and help kids see lab professionals as scientists, problem-solvers, and essential members of healthcare.
Learn more about the book and the Little Lab Learners series here:
🎙️ Check Out the SuperStat Podcast
👉 https://labcares.org/Little_Lab_Learners/Listen to the SuperStat Podcast on Spotify:
👉 https://open.spotify.com/show/5wYrCFh375KclnCFY8YyN2?si=b681fc3748df48e4Stay connected with Let's Talk Micro:
Website: letstalkmicro.com
Questions or feedback? Email me at [email protected]
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