Let's Talk Micro

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.
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Website: letstalkmicro.com

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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:
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

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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:
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

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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 Learners
Little 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:
👉 https://labcares.org/Little_Lab_Learners/
 
🎙️ Check Out the SuperStat Podcast
Listen to the SuperStat Podcast on Spotify:
👉 https://open.spotify.com/show/5wYrCFh375KclnCFY8YyN2?si=b681fc3748df48e4
 
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:
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In this episode of Let's Talk Micro, Luis is joined by Dr. Joel Mortensen to discuss a study examining intestinal parasites in pediatric patients in Guinea, West Africa.
They dive into the real-world challenges of diagnosing parasitic infections in resource-limited settings, including reliance on stool microscopy, the use of rapid antigen tests, and how seasonal changes influence infection rates. Dr. Mortensen walks us through the study design, key findings, and what the data revealed about protozoal infections, as well as the role of microscopy in identifying helminths in this setting.
This conversation highlights the critical role of clinical microbiology in global health, the importance of diagnostic context, and how laboratory data can directly inform patient care and public health strategies in underserved regions.
 
Check out Dr. Joel Mortensen's previous episodes
If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to check out previous episodes featuring Dr. Mortensen, where we dive deeper into his work in Guinea, laboratory capacity building, and global health challenges in resource-limited settings:
🎙️ Episode 107: A Pediatric Hospital in Guinea – Pt. 1
https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/35868465

🎙️ Episode 108: A Pediatric Hospital in Guinea – Pt. 2
https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/35868460

These episodes provide important background on the hospital, training efforts, and the broader impact of this work.
🔗 Other Links
Learn more about Sacre Coeur Hospital and the pediatric care and laboratory work being done in Guinea:
👉 https://www.hopeignited.org/sacre-coeur
📩 Want to get involved or learn more?
If you're interested in learning more about this work, collaborating, or supporting efforts in Guinea, you can reach out directly to Dr. Joel Mortensen:
📧 [email protected]
You can also contact me at [email protected], and I'm happy to help connect you.
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