Let's Talk Micro

Tick-borne diseases continue to expand across North America, but diagnosing them in the clinical laboratory remains complex—especially when timing between symptom onset and testing isn't considered.
In this episode of Let's Talk Micro, Luis is joined by Kyle Rodino, Assistant Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and Assistant Director of Microbiology, for a lab-focused discussion on tick-borne disease diagnostics.
They cover major bacterial, parasitic, and viral causes of tick-borne disease, and walk through how molecular testing, serology, and microscopy are used at different stages of illness. The conversation highlights why test selection and timing matter, common diagnostic challenges—particularly with Babesia and Lyme disease testing—and how laboratories can support better diagnostic decision-making.
A practical episode for microbiologists, laboratorians, and clinicians navigating real-world testing challenges in the lab.
 
Additional resources:
Update on North American tick-borne diseases and how to diagnose them
https://doi.org/10.1128/jcm.00807-23
 
Stay connected with Let's Talk Micro:
Website: letstalkmicro.com


Questions or feedback? Email me at [email protected]

Interested in being a guest on Let's Talk Micro? Fill out the form here: https://forms.gle/V2fT3asjfyusmqyi8

 
Support the podcast:
Venmo

Buy me a Ko-fi

In this episode of Let's Talk Micro, we break down metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) and how it's changing the way we diagnose complex infectious diseases.
I'm joined by Steve Miller, MD, PhD—Chief Medical Officer at Delve Bio—to discuss how unbiased metagenomics moved from research labs into real-world clinical practice.
We cover what metagenomics is, how it differs from targeted PCR and sequencing, and where it adds the most value—especially in meningitis and encephalitis, immunocompromised patients, and cases where routine testing comes back negative.
Dr. Miller shares insights from years of clinical experience, including how mNGS can improve diagnostic yield, shorten time to diagnosis, guide targeted therapy, and reduce unnecessary testing and hospital stays. We also touch on challenges like cost, result interpretation, diagnostic stewardship, and where metagenomics is headed next—including its role in public health and emerging infections.
 
 Links & Resources
Clinical metagenomics for meningitis and encephalitis (Nature Medicine)
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-024-03275-1 

 
Stay connected with Let's Talk Micro:
Website: letstalkmicro.com

Questions or feedback? Email me at [email protected]

Interested in being a guest on Let's Talk Micro? Fill out the form here: https://forms.gle/V2fT3asjfyusmqyi8

Support the podcast:
Venmo

Buy me a Ko-fi

PEA agar is often treated as "the gram-positive plate," but that shortcut can lead to real bench-level mistakes.
In this MicroMinutes episode, we break down what phenylethyl alcohol agar actually does, why growth on PEA does not automatically mean an organism is gram-positive, and how selective media can change colony appearance and behavior.
You'll hear about:
What PEA inhibits — and what it doesn't

Why Pseudomonas aeruginosa can grow quite well on PEA

How colony morphology and hemolysis may differ from blood agar

Why Lancefield grouping should never be performed directly from PEA



PEA is a powerful recovery tool — but only when you understand its limitations.
Short, focused, and straight from the bench, this is your Micro minutes.

 
Stay connected with Let's Talk Micro:
Website: letstalkmicro.com

Questions or feedback? Email me at [email protected]

Interested in being a guest on Let's Talk Micro? Fill out the form here: https://forms.gle/V2fT3asjfyusmqyi8

 
Support the podcast:
Venmo



Buy me a Ko-fi

In this special episode, I'm joined by three leaders who helped shape the conversation at the 2025 Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Summit in Detroit: Dr. Lauren Hunt, Dr. Linoj Samuel, and Dr. Robert Tibbetts. Together, we explore how this intimate, multidisciplinary summit brought together clinical microbiology, infectious diseases, stewardship, public health, policy, and veterinary medicine to tackle the growing challenges of antimicrobial resistance.
We break down the key themes that emerged throughout the meeting—shared accountability, One Health collaboration, diagnostic innovation, payer perspectives, and the urgent need for equitable access to testing. You'll hear about surprising insights, personal stories that brought AMR's impact into sharp focus, and the collaborative projects already taking root as a result of this year's summit.
Whether you're on the bench, managing stewardship programs, shaping policy, or simply passionate about the future of diagnostics, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the conversations and partnerships driving AMR action forward.
Thank you to Lauren, Linoj, and Robert for joining me—and to everyone committed to advancing the fight against AMR. One Health, one fight.
 
 Additional Resources from the 2024 AMR Summit
If you'd like to explore more background from last year's summit, here are two excellent resources:
2024 AMR Summit Article
Antimicrobial Stewardship & Healthcare Epidemiology (ASHE)
DOI:10.1017/ash.2025.10039



ASHE Podcast Episode Recapping the 2024 Summit
🎧 https://open.spotify.com/episode/0YBcDwgfYIy75pTVjCZZ5Y?si=jb8N_3AIQdOmcC2YaOvOag



 
 Want to Contribute or Get Involved?
If you're interested in contributing ideas, collaborating on AMR initiatives, or learning more about future AMR Summits, you can reach out directly to:
Dr. Lauren Hunt
 📧 [email protected]
 
Stay connected with Let's Talk Micro:
Website: letstalkmicro.com

Questions or feedback? Email me at [email protected]

Interested in being a guest on Let's Talk Micro? Fill out the form here: https://forms.gle/V2fT3asjfyusmqyi

 
Support the podcast:
Venmo



Buy me a Ko-fi

What does antimicrobial resistance look like when your patients range from dogs and cats to cattle, wildlife, and everything in between? And how do we make sense of AST, breakpoints, contamination, and genotypic tools across such a diverse microbiological world?
In this episode, Luis is joined by Dr. Kelli Maddock, DrPH (North Dakota State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory) and Dr. Stephen Cole (University of Pennsylvania), two leaders shaping the future of veterinary microbiology, antimicrobial stewardship, and CLSI veterinary standards.
Together, they explore AMR and AST through a true One Health lens, showing how animal, human, and environmental health are interconnected in everyday diagnostic work.
Drawing from their recent American Journal of Veterinary Research article on AMR challenges in veterinary medicine, the discussion highlights:
The biggest challenges in veterinary AST, from species diversity to contamination

Phenotypic vs genotypic testing and concerns around WGS-based "treatment predictions"

How selective reporting ("nudging") strengthens antimicrobial stewardship

Why every animal result matters in a One Health framework

Whether you come from human or veterinary microbiology, this episode reveals the shared challenges across sectors — and the diagnostic, collaborative, and educational steps needed to strengthen AMR response in a One Health world.
Link to article: https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.23.12.0687
Missed the past episodes on veterinary microbiology? Here they are:
TBT: Veterinary Microbiology https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/35868175

Episode 166: Pasteurella multocida — capsular groups and more
https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/35868155

Stay connected with Let's Talk Micro:
Website: letstalkmicro.com

Questions or feedback? Email me at [email protected]

Interested in being a guest on Let's Talk Micro? Fill out the form here: https://forms.gle/V2fT3asjfyusmqyi8

Support the podcast:
Venmo

Buy me a Ko-fi