Let's Talk Micro

Just back from IDWeek 2025 in Atlanta, Luis shares the sessions and posters that defined this year’s meeting — from next-generation sequencing and diagnostic stewardship to AI in the microbiology lab and new antimicrobials on the horizon. Tune in for insights on: * NGS test utilization and stewardship * New β-lactamase inhibitors like nacubactam  * AI’s growing role in clinical microbiology * Tedizolid and the importance of optimizing existing agents 🎧 Whether you were in Atlanta or following from afar, this episode captures the energy and innovation of IDWeek — and what it means for the future of diagnostics, stewardship, and patient care. Resources Learn more about ID Week : https://idweek.org/ [https://idweek.org/] Infectious Diseases Society of America: https://www.idsociety.org/ [https://www.idsociety.org/]   Stay connected with Let’s Talk Micro: * Website: letstalkmicro.com [https://www.letstalkmicro.com/] * Questions or feedback? Email me at letstalkmicro@outlook.com Support the podcast: * Venmo [https://venmo.com/u/letstalkmicro] * Buy me a Ko-fi [https://ko-fi.com/letstalkmicro]

En este episodio en español de Let 's Talk Micro, el Dr. Germán Esparza Sánchez , microbiólogo clínico, miembro del CLSI y consultor de la OPS/OMS, comparte las actualizaciones más recientes del documento M100 y cómo impactan la práctica microbiológica. Desde la eliminación de puntos de corte para Burkholderia cepacia hasta los nuevos antibióticos como aztreonam-avibactam, durlobactam-sulbactam y cefiderocol, analizamos los retos de aplicar las guías del CLSI en los laboratorios latinoamericanos, las diferencias epidemiológicas regionales y la importancia de la educación continua para combatir la resistencia antimicrobiana (RAM). Además, el Dr. Esparza comenta sobre el trabajo regional que realizan organizaciones como la Asociación Panamericana de Infectología (API) [https://apiinfectologia.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] y COLABIOCLI, que promueven la colaboración científica y la mejora de los laboratorios en América Latina.  Enlaces mencionados * Asociación Panamericana de Infectología (API) [https://apiinfectologia.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] * COLABIOCLI [https://www.colabiocli.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] * Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS) * Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) [https://www.who.int/es]   Conéctate con Let’s Talk Micro: * Página web: letstalkmicro.com [https://www.letstalkmicro.com/] * ¿Preguntas o comentarios? 📩 Escríbeme a letstalkmicro@outlook.com Apoya el pódcast: * Venmo [https://venmo.com/u/letstalkmicro] * Buy me a Ko-fi [https://ko-fi.com/letstalkmicro]

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 [https://www.microbiotavault.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] * ISME (International Society for Microbial Ecology): isme-microbes.org [https://isme-microbes.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] * ISALA Project (University of Antwerp): isala.be [https://isala.be/en/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] * “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 [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0966842X24003214?utm_source=chatgpt.com]   Stay connected with Let’s Talk Micro: * Website: letstalkmicro.com [https://www.letstalkmicro.com/] * Questions or feedback? Email me at letstalkmicro@outlook.com Support the podcast: * Venmo [https://venmo.com/u/letstalkmicro] * Buy me a Ko-fi [https://ko-fi.com/letstalkmicro]

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.   Stay connected with Let’s Talk Micro: * Website: letstalkmicro.com [https://www.letstalkmicro.com/] * Questions or feedback? Email me at letstalkmicro@outlook.com Support the podcast: * Venmo [https://venmo.com/u/letstalkmicro] * Buy me a Ko-fi [https://ko-fi.com/letstalkmicro]

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.   Stay connected with Let’s Talk Micro: * Website: letstalkmicro.com [https://www.letstalkmicro.com/] * Questions or feedback? Email me at letstalkmicro@outlook.com Support the podcast: * Venmo [https://venmo.com/u/letstalkmicro] * Buy me a Ko-fi [https://ko-fi.com/letstalkmicro]