Microbe Mail

Professor Francois Venter is back in Part 3 of our HIV series in which he continues to address South Africa's battles against HIV. Here he discusses his experience on how and when to initiate antiretroviral therapy, prophylaxis against opportunistic infection, routine monitoring and what the future of HIV management looks like in South Africa. About our Guest: Professor WD Francois Venter, MD, FCP, PhD is Executive Director of Wits Ezintsha at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, where he received most of his training. His work involves health systems research and clinical trials, most recently involving the antiretrovirals dolutegravir, tenofovir alafenamide, cabotegravir, and doravirine. He leads multiple antiretroviral treatment optimisation studies and is currently working on new access programmes through private pharmacies within South Africa, patient linkage-to-care interventions, self-testing projects, as well as most recently on new large-scale primary care delivery platforms addressing hypertension, diabetes, obesity, hyperlipidaemia and HIV. He has led large PEPFAR-funded HIV programmes in South Africa, focusing on men, women, children, young people, truckers, sex workers, and LGBTI communities. For over 20 years he has been an advisor to bodies such as the South African government, UNAIDS, and WHO, contributing to international, regional, and national HIV guidelines, and recently served as a member of the Ministerial Advisory Committee for COVID-19. He has an active interest in medical ethics and has been involved in several HIV-related human rights cases within the southern African region. He supervises Masters and PhD students and has over 200 publications, including first-author articles in major journals.Resources:SA HIV Clinicians societyADVANCE STUDYSouthern African HIV Clinicians Society guidelines for antiretroviral therapy in adults:2023 updateLiverpool HIV Drug Interactions CheckerVisit the Microbe Mail website to sign up for updates Follow on:Instagram: Microbe_MailX/Twitter: @microbemailFacebook: MicrobeMailTiktok: @microbe.mailWatch this episode on YouTube: Microbe MailE-mail us: mail.microbe@gmail.comWE'D LOVE YOUR FEEDBACK ON THIS EPISODE!

Part 2 of our HIV series addresses South Africa's battles against HIV as we get an account of the complexities of diagnosis, prophylaxis, and managing opportunistic infections from a celebrated HIV clinician, Professor Francois Venter.About our Guest: Professor WD Francois Venter, MD, FCP, PhD is Executive Director of Wits Ezintsha at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, where he received most of his training. His work involves health systems research and clinical trials, most recently involving the antiretrovirals dolutegravir, tenofovir alafenamide, cabotegravir, and doravirine. He leads multiple antiretroviral treatment optimisation studies and is currently working on new access programmes through private pharmacies within South Africa, patient linkage-to-care interventions, self-testing projects, as well as most recently on new large-scale primary care delivery platforms addressing hypertension, diabetes, obesity, hyperlipidaemia and HIV. He has led large PEPFAR-funded HIV programmes in South Africa, focusing on men, women, children, young people, truckers, sex workers, and LGBTI communities. For over 20 years he has been an advisor to bodies such as the South African government, UNAIDS, and WHO, contributing to international, regional, and national HIV guidelines, and recently served as a member of the Ministerial Advisory Committee for COVID-19. He has an active interest in medical ethics and has been involved in several HIV-related human rights cases within the southern African region. He supervises Masters and PhD students and has over 200 publications, including first-author articles in major journals.Resources:SA HIV Clinicians society websitePrEP guidelinesPEP guidelinesVisit the Microbe Mail website to sign up for updates Follow on:Instagram: Microbe_MailX/Twitter: @microbemailFacebook: MicrobeMailTiktok: @microbe.mailWatch this episode on YouTube: Microbe MailE-mail us: mail.microbe@gmail.comWE'D LOVE YOUR FEEDBACK ON THIS EPISODE!

Here we discuss how HIV is diagnosed and managed in the USA. About our Guest: Dr Ankita Kadakia, M.D. serves as the Deputy Public Health Officer for the County of San Diego.  Prior to her current role she served as the Chief and Medical Director for the County’s Tuberculosis Control and Refugee Health Branch and is the President of the California Tuberculosis Controller’s Association. Dr. Kadakia is a board-certified Internal Medicine and Infectious Disease specialist.  She has served in leading, coordinating, supervising, and managing operations for Covid-19 as well as coordinating the County Public Health Service’s Tuberculosis Elimination Initiative. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, she has played a critical role as a medical subject matter expert and Tri-Chair of the County COVID-19 Vaccine Clinical Advisory Group.Prior to joining the County, Dr. Kadakia worked at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) as an Assistant Professor of Medicine with a focus on HIV/AIDS and LGBTQ healthcare while practicing HIV medicine at UCSD Owen Clinic.  While at UCSD, Dr. Kadakia created the first Transgender HealthCare Symposium and became a co- principal investigator for the San Diego Pacific AIDS Education and Training Center. Dr. Kadakia’s passion, for serving underserved patients and preventing and treating Tuberculosis, STDs and HIV/AIDS, transcends borders. She has spent time in Uganda serving rural areas, partnering with Ugandans, to build and support schools for AIDS orphans and impoverished children. When she is not working, she immensely enjoys spending time with her two young children and practicing and teaching Kelee meditation.Visit the Microbe Mail website to sign up for updates Follow on:Instagram: Microbe_MailX/Twitter: @microbemailFacebook: MicrobeMailTiktok: @microbe.mailWatch this episode on YouTube: Microbe MailE-mail us: mail.microbe@gmail.com

The spleen is a poorly understood organ that when functioning well, operates efficiently in the background, but what can happen when medical conditions or trauma result in an impairment in that function? In today's episode Vin talks to Professor Veronica Ueckermann about the spleen. They discuss its various functions including mopping up old or damaged red blood cells and its pivotal role in the immune system. About our Guest:Prof Veronica Ueckermann is the head of Infectious diseases at the University of Pretoria/Steve Biko Academic Hospital. She holds a PhD in Infectious diseases, a Fellowship in Critical care, and a Masters in Internal Medicine.  Her research focus is HIV, Tuberculosis, aerobiology, and antimicrobial resistance.   She is actively involved in medical education at the University of Pretoria and other platforms.  Visit the Microbe Mail website to sign up for updates Follow on:Instagram: Microbe_MailX/Twitter: @microbemailFacebook: MicrobeMailTiktok: @microbe.mailWatch this episode on YouTube: Microbe MailE-mail us: mail.microbe@gmail.com

Injection drug use is becoming increasingly common in Sub-Saharan Africa...and with it, the myriad of infectious complications. On this episode, Vin chats to Dr Evan Shoul about infections and some important considerations for managing patients who inject drugs. About our Guest: Dr Evan Shoul specialised as a consultant physician in Johannesburg and then completed his infectious diseases fellowship on the Wits circuit. He now works at the Netcare Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg and has a special interest in HIV and travel medicine. Social media:Twitter/X: @EvanShoul Southern African HIV Clinicians Society guidelines for harm reduction: From Southern African Journal of HIV Medicine https://doi.org/10.4102/sajhivmed.v21i1.1161https://sahivsoc.org/Files/Southern%20African%20HIV%20Clinicians%20Society%20guidelines%20for%20harm%20reduction.pdfVisit the Microbe Mail website to sign up for updates E-mail: mail.microbe@gmail.comYouTube: Microbe MailInstagram: Microbe_Mail 

Invasive candidiasis (IC)...or evasive candidiasis? This famous fungus somehow managed to cause a great deal of anxiety, especially when it comes to confirming the diagnosis. In this episode, we talk about risk factors for disease, diagnosis and treatment of IC. About our Guest: Dr Tari Papavarnavas completed his medical degree at University of Pretoria and trained in General Internal Medicine and subsequently in Infectious Diseases at University of Cape Town.He was appointed as an Infectious Diseases sub-specialist in the Division of Infectious Diseases and HIV Medicine at UCT in 2022 with a focus on building on an existing Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) service at Groote Schuur Hospital in partnership with IPC nurses, Occupational Health practitioners, Quality Assurance, and ward liaisonsTari has also taken over as Director of the Cape Town GeoSentinel Travel Surveillance Network Site, which surveys travellers from South Africa and those visiting from abroad who act as sentinels for emerging and re-emerging infectionVisit the Microbe Mail website to sign up for updates E-mail: mail.microbe@gmail.comInstagram: Microbe_Mail 

For World Antibiotic Awareness Week 2023, we are focusing on setting up antimicrobial stewardship in low and middle income settings with limited resources and a high burden of antimicrobial resistance. About our Guest: Prenika Jaglal is a Clinical Microbiologist having obtained an FC Path(Micro) and a Master’s degree at UKZN. She is currently based at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, at the National Health Laboratory Services and is also has a joint appointment at the University of the Witwatersrand as an undergraduate/postgraduate lecturer. Visit the Microbe Mail website to sign up for updates E-mail: mail.microbe@gmail.comTwitter: @microbemail Instagram: Microbe_Mail  Facebook: Microbe Mail

The Pathology Research and Development Congress (PathRed) is hosted by the National Health Laboratory Service every 2nd year. With a focus on Pathology disciplines, it is a fantastic meeting to learn about diagnostic advancements in Africa. Ruan and I attended the meeting and were able to snatch a few interviews with speakers and delegates. To learn more about PathRed, visit the congress website at: https://pathred.nhls.ac.za/ Visit the Microbe Mail website to sign up for updates E-mail: mail.microbe@gmail.comTwitter: @microbemailInstagram: Microbe_Mail 

The Pathology Research and Development Congress (PathRed) is hosted by the National Health Laboratory Service every 2nd year. With a focus on Pathology disciplines, it is a fantastic meeting to learn about diagnostic advancements in Africa. Ruan and I attended the meeting and were able to snatch a few interviews with speakers and delegates. To learn more about PathRed, visit the congress website at: https://pathred.nhls.ac.za/ Visit the Microbe Mail website to sign up for updates E-mail: mail.microbe@gmail.comTwitter: @microbemailInstagram: Microbe_Mail 

In this episode we have a discussion with ChatGPT focused on the communication of antimicrobial therapy to patients and unpack some of the potential pitfalls of large language model use in medicine.Our Guest: (Bio generated by ChatGPT)Our guest is ChatGPT, a machine learning model developed by OpenAI. As an AI, ChatGPT doesn't possess personal experiences or emotions but is designed to process and generate human-like text based on the data it has been trained on up to its last update.ChatGPT is here to share synthesized information on communicating antimicrobial therapy, and while it strives for accuracy, it's always essential for listeners to consult healthcare professionals for medical advice. This AI model, built on the GPT-4 architecture, is continuously learning and adapting, and it is a part of the ongoing journey to understand the numerous ways artificial intelligence can aid in comprehending and discussing medical knowledge.Join us as we explore this intersection of AI and medicine, reminding ourselves of the invaluable human element that guides and informs these technological tools in healthcare.Visit the Microbe Mail website to sign up for updates E-mail: mail.microbe@gmail.comYouTube: Microbe Mail

About our Guest: Sipho Dlamini completed his medical degree, Internal Medicine training and specialist Infectious Disease training at the University of Cape Town and Colleges of Medicine South Africa. His research interests are in HIV and Tuberculosis, the use of vaccines in persons living with HIV infection and on immune-mediated drug hypersensitivity reactions in persons living with HIV. Sipho’s research and clinical activities have provided him an opportunity to be involved many projects such as a study that identified a new dimorphic fungal infection (Emergomycosis africanus) in persons living with HIV. Professional memberships include FIDSSA, the Colleges of Medicine South Africa (CMSA) and the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID). Serves as a member of the National Immunisation Safety Expert Committee (NISEC) an advisory committee to the Minister of Health in South Africa, and member of the Professional Affairs Subcommittee (PAS) for ESCMID.Visit the Microbe Mail website to sign up for updates E-mail: mail.microbe@gmail.comInstagram: Microbe_Mail  Twitter: @microbemail Facebook: Microbe Mail

Time to "idiot proof" the myth of bactericidal being better than bacteriostatic agents onthis collaborative episode with the ID_IOTS podcast.About our Guest: Jame and Callum are the hosts of the ID_IOTS podcast, an Infectious Disease podcast. You can find them through https://idiotspodcasting.buzzsprout.com/share wherever you get your podcasts and also on Twitter as @IDiots_pod References from this episode: https://idiotspodcasting.buzzsprout.com/1782416/12537247-44-the-basics-of-beta-lactamase-inhibitorsWald-Dickler N, Holtom P, Spellberg B. Busting the Myth of ‘Static vs Cidal’: A Systemic Literature Review. Clin Infect Dis. 2018 17;66(9):1470–4.Use of bacteriostatic agents in Neutropenic fever: DOI: 10.1586/eri.09.11. Jaksic B, Martinelli G, Oteyza JP, Hartman CS, Leonard LB, Tack KJ. Efficacy and Safety of Linezolid Compared with Vancomycin in a Randomized, Double-Blind Study of Febrile Neutropenic Patients with Cancer.Clinical Infectious Diseases. 2006 Mar 1;42(5):597–607https://www.bradspellberg.com/shorter-is-better Visit the Microbe Mail website to sign up for updates E-mail: mail.microbe@gmail.comYouTube: Microbe MailInstagram: Microbe_Mail 

Upper respiratory tract infections constitute one of the most common acute illnesses evaluated, particularly in the peadiatric outpatient setting. On this episode of Microbe Mial, VIn chats to Dr Nosisa Sipambo about all things upper respiratory - and when antibiotics are indicated...and more importanely, when they are not! About our Guest: Dr Nosisa Sipambo is a paediatric infectious diseases specialist.  She is the head of Harriet Shezi Children’s Clinic (HSCC) and head of the paediatric infectious diseases unit at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital. HSCC has one of the largest cohorts of HIV-infected children and adolescents, over 9000 to date. The infectious diseases unit offers a services to all the admitted patients at CHBAH as well as running a primary immunodeficiency clinic. She is a passionate advocate of antimicrobial stewardship and infection prevention and control.  Qualifications: MBBCh (Wits) MMed (Paeds) Wits; FCPaed (SA); Cert ID (SA) Paed Visit the Microbe Mail website to sign up for updates E-mail: mail.microbe@gmail.comYouTube: Microbe MailInstagram: Microbe_Mail 

Yeasts are commonly isolated in clinical specimens, but they are significant in some specimens and not significant in others. There are also a variety of identification methods which can be used in the laboratory. On this episode, Vin chats to a fellow Microbiology podcaster - Luis Plaza of "Let's Talk Micro" about yeasts in clinical cultures. About our Guest: Luis Plaza Hospital Corpsman in the United States Navy 2002-2010.       Medical Laboratory Technician – United States Navy 2007-2010Bachelor’s degree in Medical Laboratory Sciences from the University of Central Florida(completed 2013)Master’s in Microbiology and Cell Science – University of Florida (degree in progress)Senior Medical Laboratory Technologist in Microbiology at Advent Health Orlando,Florida (2013 -present)Microbiology Instructor at the University of Central Florida. (2019- present)Podcast creator and host of Let’s Talk Micro- 2021- present). Explaining Microbiology in simple terms. Meant to be used as an educational tool for everyone in Microbiology, from students to professionals. Available on all podcast platforms. Contact Luis at: letstalkmicro@outlook.com Follow Lets Talk Micro on instagram and Twitter Visit the Microbe Mail website to sign up for updates E-mail: mail.microbe@gmail.comTwitter: @microbemailInstagram: Microbe_Mail  Facebook: Microbe Mail

Another fun game of "Would you Rather" but this time, we talk about some fantastic fungal options. Which would you rather choose...? About our Guest: Dr Lyle Murray is a Lecturer at the University of the Witwatersrand and a Consultant in Infectious Diseases at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic in Johannesburg, South Africa. He is a clinician scientist with a particular interest in the immunology of infectious diseases and the impact of HIV infection thereon. He completed his MBChB at the University of Cape Town and his specialist clinical training in Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases at the University of the Witwatersrand. He did a DPhil (PhD) as a Rhodes Scholar in the Nuffield Depeartment of Clinical Medicine at Oxford University focussing  on the reconstitution of immunity to Mycobacterium tuberculosis in individuals with HIV on antiretroviral therapy.Dr Michael Vernon Cloete - I’m a Clinical Microbiology registrar based at the NHLS Microbiology Laboratory, University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. I trained as a medical undergraduate at Wits where I obtained my medical degree, going on to work in KwaZulu-Natal and here in Johannesburg for my internship and community service respectively. I’ve worked on national committees for Junior Doctors Association of South Africa and spent a lot of time at NICD here in Joburg in my community service year during the COVID-19 pandemic, where my love for microbiology was founded. I’ve always been fascinated by microbiological life, and am a passionate advocate for antimicrobial stewardship, novel therapy development and multidisciplinary care.Visit the Microbe Mail website to sign up for updates E-mail: mail.microbe@gmail.comTwitter: @microbemail Instagram: Microbe_Mail  Facebook: Microbe Mail

A multi- country outbreak of cholera was reported by the WHO in May 2023. Since the beginning of 2023, a total of 24 countries have reported cases. South Africa is among the countries affected by the outbreak.To aid HCWs in identifying, diagnosing and treating cholera, Microbe Mail has put together this bonus episode on th rapid review of cholera. About our Guest: Dr Amanda Khumalo is a clinical microbiologist in the Department of Medical Microbiology NHLS Groote Schuur Hospital and the University of Cape Town. She has a passion for teaching and is involved in undergraduate and post graduate training. Her research interests include paediatric infectious disease and infection prevention and control.Links to resources on Cholera: www.nicd.ac.za/diseases-a-z-index/cholera/https://www.health.gov.za/cholera/https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cholerahttps://www.cdc.gov/cholera/index.htmlVisit the Microbe Mail website to sign up for updates E-mail: mail.microbe@gmail.comInstagram: Microbe_Mail  Twitter: @microbemail Facebook: Microbe Mail

In this episode we discuss Dr Tom Boyles's new book: How to request a test: A clinician's guide to the interpretation and evaluation of medical tests(https://global.oup.com/academic/product/how-to-request-a-test-a-clinicians-guide-to-the-interpretation-and-evaluation-of-medical-tests-9780192866615?cc=us&lang=en&)Dr Tom Boyles – Short biography.Dr Boyles qualified in medicine Oxford University in 2000 and moved to South Africa in 2007, where he spent 3 years as an HIV physician at Madwaleni hospital in the rural Eastern Cape. He trained as an infectious disease specialist in Cape Town from 2010-12 and continued to work at Groote Schuur Hospital until 2017 when he moved to Johannesburg. He currently works for Right to Care, the Clinical HIV Research Unit, and as a consultant at Helen Joseph Hospital. He maintains a passion for rural medicine and his research interests include appropriate diagnostic and treatment strategies for TB and the increased use of machine learning models to advance healthcare delivery in low resource settings.

Best care bundles are a set of practices tied together which are proven to prevent heathcare associated infections. Listen Vin has a chat with Lesley Devenish, a seasoned IPC nurse practitioner and teacher about these bundles. About our Guest: My basic nursing training was completed through the Rand Afrikaans University (now U.J.)and post-grad courses through the University of South Africa. I started in Infection Control 25 years ago in the private sector. After gaining years of hospital experience, I moved into management and was head of Infection Prevention & Control (IPC) at the Netcare Group of hospitals for 11 years. I had loved the teaching part of my role at Netcare head office and pursued a more teaching-related role at Wits University and, although I am now semi-retired, still teach the IPC course through Wits Health Consortium. I am an avid reader and a very happy Granny, with four beautiful grandchildren.Visit the Microbe Mail website to sign up for updates E-mail: mail.microbe@gmail.comTwitter: @microbemail Instagram: Microbe_Mail 

Have you ever played the game "Would you rather?" - listen to this episode to hear a virological take on this fun game. And more importantly - is there even a correct answer at all? About our Guests: Marvin Hsiao: is an associate professor and consultant virologist at University of Cape Town and Groote Schuur Complex of the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS). In addition to his virology training, Marvin holds a master’s degree in public health. His research interests are viral diagnostics, surveillance of viral diseases, epidemiology of viral diseases and health systems issues related to laboratory medicine. He received research funding from Poliomyelitis Research Foundation (PRF), SAMRC, NHLS Research Trust and Wellcome Trust. He is currently a member of PRF scientific advisory panel and NHLS virology expert committee. He can be found on twitter @HsiaoMarvin tweeting virology and COVID-19 related issues or just general nonsense.Moepeng Maseko: graduated with her MBChB from the University of Cape Town in 2016, she holds a Diploma in HIV Management from the Colleges of Medicine South Africa and is currently working as a Virology Registrar at  the National Health Laboratory Services at Groote Schuur Hospital/ UCT.You can find her at:LinkedIn : Moepeng MasekoInstagram : @moe_eeezySimon Fraser: is currently an intern at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH). He graduated from the GEMP program at Wits (MBBCh) in 2021, following postgraduate studies in palaeontology as well as theology. He's a husband and father of 3, and also the host of the Dr Coffee podcast, for junior doctors and medical students in South Africa.You can find him at:https://linktr.ee/drcoffeezaVisit the Microbe Mail website to sign up for updates E-mail: mail.microbe@gmail.comTwitter: @microbemailInstagram: Microbe_Mail 

One Health is a concept which described the health not only of humans, but also of the envionment and animals. Our Guest, Dr Yogandree Ramsamy tells us about its origins, who governs the principles and how it can be applied to antimicrobial resistance and everyday clinical practice. About our Guest: Dr Yogandree Ramsamy, a medical doctor with a specialization in medical microbiology (MBChB, MMedPath (Microbiology), FCPath(SA)(Microbiology), PhD), is currently a Senior Pathologist in Medical Microbiology at JDJ Diagnostics. As a recipient of the One Health AMR Fellowship from the Université Paris Cité and Fondation Mérieux, the Institut Mérieux-ICAN Young Investigator Award in antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the L’Oreal-UNESCO for Women in Science Award and the SEDRIC-Wellcome Trust Travel Scholarship, Dr Ramsamy is extremely passionate about AMR and implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs). Currently a member of several local and international committees related to Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) and Infection Prevention and Control, Dr Ramsamy is committed to the fight against AMR. She has served on the provincial KZN Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) Committee, promoting the concept of AMR and AMS within the KZN public health sector in line with the South African National AMR Strategy. Her Master’s focused on AMR, AMS and surveillance in the South African landscape and her PhD entailed investigating Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) in a One Health context. She is a honorary research fellow in the Antimicrobial Research Unit at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Her keen research interest in AMR, AMS and AMR surveillance has culminated in original research generating several publications + local and international conference presentations. Creating awareness of a bleak future without the prospects of lifesaving antimicrobials, mentoring up and coming individuals equally passionate about saving antimicrobials for future generations is one of her greatest ambitions.You can find Yogandree at:yogandree@gmail.comRamsamyy@ukzn.ac.zayogandree@jdj.co.za linkedin.com/in/yogandree-ramsamy-16a74a86Visit the Microbe Mail website to sign up for updates E-mail: mail.microbe@gmail.comYouTube: Microbe MailInstagram: Microbe_Mail