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Let's Talk Micro

Luis Plaza
Microbiology
Clinical Microbiology
Antimicrobial Resistance
Infectious Diseases
Antibiotics
Urinary Tract Infections
Public Health
Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing
Medical Laboratory Science
Antibiotic Resistance
Antimicrobial Stewardship
Pharmacokinetics
MRSA
Pasteurella Multocida
Epidemiology
Clinical Laboratory Science
Veterinary Microbiology
Oxazolidinones
Neisseria Gonorrhoeae
Antibiotic Stewardship

Clinical microbiology explained in simple terms, suitable for students and microbiologists alike. We discuss organisms, reactions, infectious diseases, and more. Hosted by Luis Plaza, a Medical Laboratory Scientist and microbiologist, who also shares his experiences in the field.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes240Founded5 years ago
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ScienceLife Sciences

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Artwork for Let's Talk Micro

Latest Episodes

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... more

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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 co... more

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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 re... more

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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 id... more

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Recent Guests

Dr. Christopher Doern
Guest expert on wound cultures, CMPH guidelines
VCU Health System (via context as described)
Episode: 225: Too Many Bugs, One Culture: A CMPH Guide to Wound Cultures
Dr. Alexandra Bryson
Associate Director of Clinical Microbiology, Associate Professor of Pathology
VCU Health System
Episode: 225: Too Many Bugs, One Culture: A CMPH Guide to Wound Cultures
Krisandra Allen
A genomic epidemiologist working with public health agencies and clinical partners to integrate genomics into infectious disease investigations.
Episode: 221: Beyond the Plate: Your Isolates and Genomic Epidemiology
Dr. Kyle Rodino
Assistant Professor in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, specializing in microbiology and diagnostics.
University of Pennsylvania
Episode: 219: Tick-Borne Diseases: The Lab and Diagnostics
Dr. Stephen Miller
Chief Medical Officer of Delve Bio, expert in microbiology and metagenomics
Delve Bio
Episode: 218: Metagenomics in Clinical Microbiology
Dr. Lauren Hunt
Infectious disease and antimicrobial stewardship pharmacist and Senior Marketing Manager for Clinical Strategic Partnerships at VMRU.
VMRU
Episode: 216: AMR Summit 2025: One Health, One Fight
Dr. Linoj Samuel
Division head for Clinical Microbiology for Henry Ford Health System with interests in rapid diagnostics and research.
Henry Ford Health
Episode: 216: AMR Summit 2025: One Health, One Fight
Dr. Robert Tibbetts
Associate director of the lab at Henry Ford Health System, specializing in antimicrobial resistance mechanisms.
Henry Ford Health
Episode: 216: AMR Summit 2025: One Health, One Fight
Dr. Kelli Maddock
Veterinarian and Clinical Microbiologist at the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
Episode: 215: One Health, Many Species: AMR Through a Veterinary Lens

Host

Luis Plaza
Host of the show who is a Medical Laboratory Scientist and microbiologist. He explains complex microbiological concepts in simple terms and shares his experiences from the field.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 115 ratings
  • Invaluable

    I love this podcast! I find myself turning to it for ways to explain difficult concepts to my clinical rotation students. Would really love to hear an episode on Brucella species.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jeanie315
    United Statesa year ago
  • Helpful

    I’m studying for ascp micro and he explains concepts very well! Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CeeBee__
    United States2 years ago
  • Great podcast

    I love this podcast! As a non-microbiologist working in the microbiology field, Luis does a great job of explaining complex concepts in an easy-to-understand way. He also has such great guests on to talk about diverse topics. Keep it up!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mam2wm
    United States3 years ago
  • Great podcast!

    Love the podcast. Great explanations and interviews. Love how he mentions things he has learned while on the bench.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Luys plaza
    United States3 years ago
  • Love for micro

    Excellent podcast! Very informative, you can feel how much the presenter loves microbiology.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    alfred ismael plaza
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Feedback highlights the diverse range of knowledgeable guests featured, enhancing the educational value of each episode.
Listeners appreciate the clarity with which complex microbiological concepts are explained, noting the host's ability to relate personal experiences.
Many find the podcast to be an invaluable resource for studying and enhancing their understanding of microbiology, especially for those in clinical training.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

226: CLSI M100 2026 Updates
Q: What upcoming updates or documents should listeners anticipate beyond M100, such as M45?
M45 is slated for release in early 2027 with expanded organism groups and refined breakpoints; CLSI will likely provide webinars and publications to accompany these updates to help labs prepare.
226: CLSI M100 2026 Updates
Q: What should clinicians and labs do about the Burkholderia cepacia complex testing given the removal of ECVs?
Labs should follow CLSI guidance on reference methods (frozen broth microdilution versus the standard reference method), coordinate with reference labs when in-house testing isn't feasible, and stay updated through CLSI publications and ARUP/other reference labs' recommendations.
226: CLSI M100 2026 Updates
Q: What steps should a microbiology lab take when a new M100 edition is released to implement changes safely?
Attend the CLSI webinar, review the Overview of Changes, read the spring/fall CLSI outreach newsletters, discuss with supervisors and pharmacists/ID teams, and update QC ranges and cascade strategies accordingly while monitoring bolded changes in footnotes.
226: CLSI M100 2026 Updates
Q: Why were breakpoints temporarily removed for some drugs like tobramycin, and how should labs handle this when interpreting current data?
Temporary removals occur while new breakpoint data are being reviewed and correlated with updated dysdiffusion diameters; labs should use the latest approved data and consult CLSI for guidance, understanding the changes are part of an ongoing process.
226: CLSI M100 2026 Updates
Q: Can you explain what the four-tier testing system means for labs and how to apply it in day-to-day practice?
The four tiers partition drugs into primary, secondary, and less commonly used groups, guiding what to test routinely on primary panels and what to cascade or send out based on formulary, resistance patterns, and lab capabilities.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Let's Talk Micro

What is Let's Talk Micro about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focused on simplifying clinical microbiology, this podcast provides insights into various microorganisms, laboratory reactions, and infectious diseases, making it accessible for both students and professionals in the field. The host, a qualified Medical Laboratory Scientist, frequently draws upon personal experiences, which enriches the discussions and helps to illustrate complex topics in a relatable manner. Given its informative style, the series not only educates but also aims to inspire those pursuing careers in microbiology and related fields.

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Which podcasts are similar to Let's Talk Micro?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Let's Talk Micro:

1. Infectious Disease Puscast
2. This Week in Virology
3. JAMA Clinical Reviews
4. This Week in Microbiology
5. The Curbsiders Internal Medicine Podcast

How many episodes of Let's Talk Micro are there?

Let's Talk Micro launched 5 years ago and published 240 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Let's Talk Micro?

Recent guests on Let's Talk Micro include:

1. Dr. Christopher Doern
2. Dr. Alexandra Bryson
3. Krisandra Allen
4. Dr. Kyle Rodino
5. Dr. Stephen Miller
6. Dr. Lauren Hunt
7. Dr. Linoj Samuel
8. Dr. Robert Tibbetts

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