Microbe Mail

Microbe Mail is yet another year wiser! 🎉 It’s our 4th anniversary episode, and this year we chose to bust some of the wilder health myths online. Join us as we celebrate by trying to separate fact from fiction, exploring why these myths persist and what harm they can cause.Myth 1: "Measles infection is not as serious as they all say it is"Myth 2: "Doctors never tell you about this- the antibiotic version" Myth 3: "It's time for that Candida cleanse"Myth 4: The "benefits" of raw milkMyth 5: "Hip-Hip-not so hip H-pylori"Myth 6: Is Avian flu just for the birds?Myth 7: The Germ theory "debunked"?Resources from this episode:South African Measles 2025 updateNICD Avian influenza guideRaw milk dangers and Q&AThe "full-blown host theory" challenging the germ theory.WE'D LOVE YOUR FEEDBACK ON THIS EPISODE – Visit the Microbe Mail website to sign up for updates Follow on:Instagram: Microbe_MailX/Twitter: @microbemailFacebook: MicrobeMailTiktok: @microbe.mailWatch this episode on our new YouTube channel: Microbe MailE-mail us: mail.microbe@gmail.com

In this special edition, we take you inside the Infection Control African Network Congress 2025, held in beautiful Cape Town from 29 June to 2 July. Vin was on the ground capturing the energy, innovation, and passion driving infection prevention and control (IPC) across Africa and beyond. From cutting edge updates in infection control programs to inspiring discussions on IPC education, this episode is packed with insights straight from the experts. And for an extra twist, three conference attendees stepped up as momentary messengers for the day, bringing fresh perspectives as they interviewed some of the most fascinating voices at the congress.Our adhoc hosts:Dr Lesego MothibiDr Gilda MadeiraDr Julia PhambaneAbout our Guests: Dr Amanda Khumalo FCPath, DTM&H, Clinical Microbiologist PathCare Laboratories, see bio HERE: The role of the HCW in breaking the chain of infectionDr Ifeyinwa Nwafia, Clinical Microbiologist, Management Sciences for Health, Nigeria : Assessment of the Pattern of Antimicrobial Use Among Hospitalized Patients in 16 Nigerian Hospitals: a Strategy to Improve Antimicrobial Stewardship ProgrammeMr David Frederick, Pharmaceutical technologist, Malindi Sub-County Hospital, Kenya, Best Poster Winner ICAN25: Building a foundationMrs Briette du Toit Ludick, PG Infection Prevention and Control, MSc IPC: Cost effectiveness of implementing an environmental Cleaning programmeTawanda Mutiwazuka, Medical Virologist, The Avenues Clinic, Zimbabwe, Reflecting on the ICAN25 congress. WE'D LOVE YOUR FEEDBACK ON THIS EPISODE – Visit the Microbe Mail website to sign up for updates Follow on:Instagram: Microbe_MailX/Twitter: @microbemailFacebook: MicrobeMailTiktok: @microbe.mailWatch this episode on our new YouTube channel: Microbe MailE-mail us: mail.microbe@gmail.com

In this special edition, we take you inside the Infection Control African Network Congress 2025, held in beautiful Cape Town from 29 June to 2 July. Vin was on the ground capturing the energy, innovation, and passion driving infection prevention and control (IPC) across Africa and beyond. From cutting edge updates in infection control programs to inspiring discussions on IPC education, this episode is packed with insights straight from the experts. And for an extra twist, three conference attendees stepped up as momentary messengers for the day, bringing fresh perspectives as they interviewed some of the most fascinating voices at the congress.Our adhoc hosts:Dr Lesego MothibiDr Gilda MadeiraDr Julia PhambaneAbout our Guests: Professor Shaheen Mehtar MBBS, FRCPath, FCPath, MD, see bio HERE: An overview of the congressAnn Versporten, MEHS, MPH, Research scientist, University of Antwerp, see bio HERE: Co-ordinating the Global PPSAnnelies Boven, MSc, PhD candidate, University of Antwerp: Constructing the Operational module of the Global PPSBuyiswa Lizzie Sithole, IPC Consultant, see bio HERE: Challenges in implementing IPC practices in displaced and war-torn areas, and IPC strategies that work in the primary healthcare setting.Professor Joost Hopman, MD, PhD, DTMH see bio HERE: IPC and the hospital design and The effect of climate change on infectious diseaseReshma Misra, MSc, Assistant Director: Provincial Infection Prevention and Control – KwaZulu Natal, see her bio HERE: Antimicrobial prescribing and HAI surveillance in KZN, and Primary Health Care preparedness for a pandemic Resources from this episode:ICAN Website (https://icanetwork.co.za/)Global PPS website8 core components of IPCWE'D LOVE YOUR FEEDBACK ON THIS EPISODE – Visit the Microbe Mail website to sign up for updates Follow on:Instagram: Microbe_MailX/Twitter: @microbemailFacebook: MicrobeMailTiktok: @microbe.mailWatch this episode on our new YouTube channel: Microbe MailE-mail us:

In this episode, we review how genomics is being used to fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR). From outbreak tracking to detecting resistance genes, genomic tools are transforming how we understand, diagnose, and manage infectious threats. About our Guest: Professor Sabiha Essack is a seasoned researcher and a former Wellcome Trust Research Fellow who completed research towards her PhD in Pharmaceutical Microbiology at St Bartholomew’s and the Royal London School of Medicine and Dentistry in the United Kingdom. She currently serves as the South African Research Chair (SARChI) in Antibiotic Resistance and One Health and a Professor in Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). View her inspiring and versatile biography HERE! WE'D LOVE YOUR FEEDBACK ON THIS EPISODE – Visit the Microbe Mail website to sign up for updates Follow on:Instagram: Microbe_MailX/Twitter: @microbemailFacebook: MicrobeMailTiktok: @microbe.mailWatch this episode on our new YouTube channel: Microbe MailE-mail us: mail.microbe@gmail.com

In this episode, we dive into the world of outbreak response with two incredible guests from South Africa’s National Institute for Communicable Diseases. Drawing from their wealth of experience on the front lines of investigating and containing infections of public health concern, they share insights into what it really takes to respond swiftly, strategically, and effectively when outbreaks strike.About our Guests:Dr Vuyiswa Kumalo is a medical officer in the Outbreak Response Unit of the National Institute for Communicable Diseases. She has over a decade’s experience as a clinician, currently pursuing a specialist physician fellowship in Public Health Medicine. She has extensive experience and expertise in clinical research and community health technical skills, and knowledge. Dr. Saffiya Umar is a medical Officer at the NICD’s Outbreak Response Unit of the National Institute for Communicable Diseases. She graduated from UKZN and has since garnered a wealth of knowledge in community health. She has a special interest in tropical medicine, communicable diseases and public health. WE'D LOVE YOUR FEEDBACK ON THIS EPISODE – Visit the Microbe Mail website to sign up for updates Follow on:Instagram: Microbe_MailX/Twitter: @microbemailFacebook: MicrobeMailTiktok: @microbe.mailWatch this episode on our new YouTube channel: Microbe MailE-mail us: mail.microbe@gmail.com

In this episode, we take a comprehensive look at malaria management—from selecting the appropriate treatment for each Plasmodium species, to recognising and treating complications, and exploring prophylaxis. Whether you're refreshing your knowledge or managing cases on the front line, this episode is packed with practical insights from our expert, who is back for a 2nd feature episode, Professor Lucille Blumberg.About our Guest: Professor Lucille Blumberg, MB BCH MMed (Clin Micro) ID (SA) FFTM (RCP Glasgow, travel medicine) DTM&H DOH DCH D.Sc. (Med) honoris. She is a highly respected infectious diseases specialist and medical microbiologist, hailing from Johannesburg, who sits on many national and international expert groups. Her contribution to keeping the public safe from infectious disease has been hailed as the epitome of sustainable, groundbreaking research. She has honorary appointments at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), the Universities of Stellenbosch (Medical Microbiology) and University of Pretoria (Faculty of Veterinary Sciences), South Africa. Her focus is on outbreak prevention and response, emerging diseases, travel-related infections, the viral haemorrhagic fevers, malaria and zoonosis, especially rabies. She is the current chair of the Strategic Advisory Group for Infectious Hazards for the WHO Emergencies Programme and a member of the scientific advisory group for the WHO Neglected Tropical Diseases programme. She is a longstanding member of the National Rabies Advisory Group in South Africa and is the former chair of the South African Malaria Elimination Committee (SAMEC). Prof Blumberg has been involved in the prevention, detection and response to several communicable disease outbreaks, including cholera, typhoid, rabies, the Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers (Lujo, Rift Valley fever, Ebola), influenza (pandemic A H1N1, and Avian Influenza A H5N2) and diphtheria. Her special interests are malaria, rabies, other zoonoses, East African Trypanosomiasis, travel and tropical medicine and border health issues. She has worked with Right to Care as a Technical Scientific Advisor since 2021. She has recently been appointed to the editorial board of the Southern African Journal of Infectious Diseases. Other editorial positions include being African Advisor for the International Journal of Travel Medicine since 2018, and one of three editors for the International Journal of Infectious Diseases since 2017. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she established DATCOV, a national surveillance system for patients with COVID-19 who were hospitalised. WE'D LOVE YOUR FEEDBACK ON THIS EPISODE – Visit the Microbe Mail website to sign up for updates Follow on:Instagram: Microbe_MailX/Twitter: @microbemailFacebook: MicrobeMailTiktok: @microbe.mailWatch this episode on our new YouTube channel: Microbe MailE-mail us: mail.microbe@gmail.com

This episode pits man’s best friend against one of man’s deadliest foes—rabies doesn’t play fetch nor does it leave many unscathed. Ruan speaks to one health champion and ID friend to many, Professor Lucille Blumberg, and they talk about the virus that turns loyal companions into lethal threats. How to diagnose it, how it's managed and most importantly how to prevent it.About our Guest: Professor Lucille Blumberg, MB BCH MMed (Clin Micro) ID (SA) FFTM (RCP Glasgow, travel medicine) DTM&H DOH DCH D.Sc. (Med) honoris. She is a highly respected infectious diseases specialist and medical microbiologist, hailing from Johannesburg, who sits on many national and international expert groups. Her contribution to keeping the public safe from infectious disease has been hailed as the epitome of sustainable, groundbreaking research. She has honorary appointments at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), the Universities of Stellenbosch (Medical Microbiology) and University of Pretoria (Faculty of Veterinary Sciences), South Africa. Her focus is on outbreak prevention and response, emerging diseases, travel-related infections, the viral haemorrhagic fevers, malaria and zoonosis, especially rabies. She is the current chair of the Strategic Advisory Group for Infectious Hazards for the WHO Emergencies Programme and a member of the scientific advisory group for the WHO Neglected Tropical Diseases programme. She is a longstanding member of the National Rabies Advisory Group in South Africa and is the former chair of the South African Malaria Elimination Committee (SAMEC). Prof Blumberg has been involved in the prevention, detection and response to several communicable disease outbreaks, including cholera, typhoid, rabies, the Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers (Lujo, Rift Valley fever, Ebola), influenza (pandemic A H1N1, and Avian Influenza A H5N2) and diphtheria. Her special interests are malaria, rabies, other zoonoses, East African Trypanosomiasis, travel and tropical medicine and border health issues. She has worked with Right to Care as a Technical Scientific Advisor since 2021. She has recently been appointed to the editorial board of the Southern African Journal of Infectious Diseases. Other editorial positions include being African Advisor for the International Journal of Travel Medicine since 2018, and one of three editors for the International Journal of Infectious Diseases since 2017. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she established DATCOV, a national surveillance system for patients with COVID-19 who were hospitalised. WE'D LOVE YOUR FEEDBACK ON THIS EPISODE – Visit the Microbe Mail website to sign up for updates Follow on:Instagram: Microbe_MailX/Twitter: @microbemailFacebook: MicrobeMailTiktok: @microbe.mailWatch this episode on our new YouTube channel: Microbe MailE-mail us: mail.microbe@gmail.com

Dans un monde où une piqûre de moustique peut encore être mortelle, il est réconfortant de savoir que notre mentalité s'oriente désormais vers la prévention et l'élimination. Dans cet épisode, Miriam s'entretient avec le Dr Abdouramane Camara, un lauréat de la Bourse d'accélération de carrière en Afrique et pionnier en immunologie, au sujet des vaccins antipaludiques.À propos de notre invité: Le Dr Abdouramane Camara est chercheur postdoctoral au West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), à l'Université du Ghana. Après plus de dix ans passés dans plusieurs institutions européennes, il a su forger une solide expertise, le Dr Camara est revenu en Afrique pour contribuer à son avancement scientifique en développant un nouveau test clinique permettant d'évaluer l'efficacité des vaccins à un stade précoce et de prédire la protection à long terme.Ses travaux de recherche visent à élucider les mécanismes impliqués dans la génération des plasmocytes à longue durée de vie et des cellules productrices d’anticorps, ainsi qu’à explorer leur capacité à prédire précocement l’efficacité d’une vaccination. Il s'intéresse particulièrement au paludisme, une maladie endémique dans de nombreux pays africains, et à l'efficacité des nouveaux vaccins antipaludiques. Au-delà du paludisme, il étudie également les vaccins procurant une immunité à long terme, voire à vie, afin de contribuer à l'amélioration de la conception et des stratégies de mise en œuvre des vaccins.Malaria life cycle: Reproduced from PATH's Malaria Vaccines website at www.malariavaccine.org, 2024Global Malaria programmeNOUS AIMERIONS VOTRE AVIS SUR CET ÉPISODE – Visit the Microbe Mail website to sign up for updates Follow on:Instagram: Microbe_MailX/Twitter: @microbemailFacebook: MicrobeMailTiktok: @microbe.mailWatch this episode on our new YouTube channel: Microbe MailE-mail us: mail.microbe@gmail.com

In a world where a mosquito bite can still be deadly, it is comforting to know that our mindset has shifted towards prevention and elimination. In this episode, Ruan speaks to a fellow recipient of the African Career Acceleration Fellowship, Dr Abdouramane Camara who is a pioneer in immunology, about malarial vaccines.About our Guest: Dr Abdouramane Camara is a postdoc research fellow at the West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), University of Ghana. After spending over a decade in various institutions across Europe, gathering immense expertise, Dr Camara has returned to Africa to contribute to its scientific advancement by developing a new clinical test to evaluate the efficacy of vaccines at an early stage and predict long-term protection.His research focuses on understanding the mechanisms underlying the generation of long-lived plasma cells, antibody-secreting cells and their potential to be early predictors of vaccination success. He is particularly interested in malaria, a disease endemic to many African countries, and the efficacy of newly introduced malaria vaccines. Beyond malaria, he is also investigating vaccines that provide long-term or lifelong immunity, aiming to contribute to improved vaccine design and implementation strategies.Malaria life cycle: Reproduced from PATH's Malaria Vaccines website at www.malariavaccine.org, 2024Global Malaria programmeWE'D LOVE YOUR FEEDBACK ON THIS EPISODE – Visit the Microbe Mail website to sign up for updates Follow on:Instagram: Microbe_MailX/Twitter: @microbemailFacebook: MicrobeMailTiktok: @microbe.mailWatch this episode on our new YouTube channel: Microbe MailE-mail us: mail.microbe@gmail.com

Antimicrobial resistance has become one of healthcare's biggest challenges, and in the fight against AMR getting the right drug, the right dose, right indication and the right route is everything. In this episode, we’re exploring the critical role clinical pharmacists play in antimicrobial stewardship (AMS). Join Nonks, the latest microbe messenger to take the mic, as she talks to seasoned clinical pharmacist Ama Annor.About our Guest: Ama Sakoa Annor, is a committed and proactive pharmacist who is trained in comprehensive pharmaceutical care for paediatric patients. She holds an MSc (Med) in Clinical Pharmacy and a DPharm Candidate with six publications.She is currently working at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital as a ward pharmacist, stationed in the paediatric medical and surgical departments. She is a member of the hospital’s Pharmacy and Therapeutics, AMS, ADR Committee and other sub-committees.She is also affiliated as a mentor with the Clinical Pharmacy Division of the School of Pharmacy of the Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University.  She has a passion for rational antimicrobial use and is privileged to be one of the mentees in the Ohio State University/Nationwide Children's Hospital - South Africa Train-the-Trainer program in the Neonatal Antimicrobial Stewardship Program in 2019. Two of the end products are the recent publications: “Prospective antimicrobial stewardship interventions by multidisciplinary teams to reduce neonatal antibiotic use in South Africa: the Neonatal Antimicrobial Stewardship (NeoAMS) study”. International Journal of Infectious Diseases 2024-06 | Journal article. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijid.2024.107158“Defining and responding to the contextual drivers for implementation of antimicrobial stewardship in 14 neonatal units in South Africa”; JAC-Antimicrobial Resistance 2025 Vol. 7 Issue 1  https://doi.org/10.1093/jacamr/dlae222Facebook: Ama Sakoa AnnorLinkedin_ama_sakoa-annorX: @ama_sakoa_annorInstagram: amasakoaAlso listen to this: Episode 6: A is for antimicrobial stewardshipWE'D LOVE YOUR FEEDBACK ON THIS EPISODE – Visit the Microbe Mail website to sign up for updates Follow on:Instagram: Microbe_MailX/Twitter: @microbemailFacebook: MicrobeMailTiktok: @microbe.mailWatch this episode on our new YouTube channel: Microbe MailE-mail us:

Vaccinations play an important role in both our individual and community health. They help to prevent serious and sometimes deadly diseases by strengthening our immune system. But in recent years this cost effective method of disease prevention has come under the spot light, drawing attention to some myths and misconceptions. In this episode, Dr Anne von Gottberg dives into the importance of vaccinations, how to handle missed vaccines, vaccine dos and don'ts and recent changes in the Extended Programme onIimmunzation(EPI) in South Africa.About our Guest: Dr Anne von Gottberg is currently the laboratory lead at the Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg, South Africa; and Associate Professor within the School of Pathology, Faculty of the Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg; and Honorary Professor, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town. She leads a laboratory team responsible for reference diagnostics for respiratory and meningitis pathogens nationally and regionally. The laboratory is the regional reference laboratory for the World Health Organization (WHO) Vaccine-preventable Invasive Bacterial Diseases (VP-IBD) Coordinated Global Surveillance Network for the southern African region; a National Influenza Centre (NIC); and a global WHO RSV and regional SARS-CoV-2 reference laboratory. She is currently a member of several committees and technical advisory groups for AFRO, Africa CDC and WHO. Her main interests include surveillance for meningitis and respiratory pathogens, assessing vaccine effectiveness where relevant. She has authored or co-authored more than 200 articles in peer-reviewed journals. In addition, she supervises a number of Masters and PhD students. Dr von Gottberg obtained her MBBCh and PhD at the University of the Witwatersrand, and trained for her specialisation in clinical microbiology (FC Path[SA] MICRO) at the National Health Laboratory Service (former South African Institute for Medical Research) and at the University of the Witwatersrand.WE'D LOVE YOUR FEEDBACK ON THIS EPISODE – Visit the Microbe Mail website to sign up for updates Follow on:Instagram: Microbe_MailX/Twitter: @microbemailFacebook: MicrobeMailTiktok: @microbe.mailWatch this episode on our new YouTube channel: Microbe MailE-mail us: mail.microbe@gmail.com

This episode gives a nod to the show's history while also hinting at the variety of topics discussed. A Journey Through the Microscopic World – Highlights from some memorable episodesEpisodes featured in this recap:EP 49: No spleen, how mean! - Asplenia_ Antibiotic prophylaxisEP 59: What's all the buzz about_ Malaria diagnosticsEP 33: Would you rather, the antibiotics version_ Empiric therapy for community acquired meningitisEP 50: HIV in the USA _ Diagnosing HIV in the USAEP 58: Findings from FIDSSA part 2_ Rabies update and outbreak response EP 44: Highlights from the PathRed Congress 2023 - Part 1_Emerging viral infectionsEP 62: Myco-moments: Interviews from the 4th AIDS-related Mycoses Workshop: The immunology of Oral candidiasisEP 61: "Prescription Ice cream" Book review and interview: Advice to young medical doctors and studentsEP 53 : Appropriate use of β-lactam - β-lactamase inhibitor combinations _ Rapid genetic testing, know your syndromic antibiograms, and diagnostic stewardshipWE'D LOVE YOUR FEEDBACK ON THIS EPISODE – Visit the Microbe Mail website to sign up for updates Follow on:Instagram: Microbe_MailX/Twitter: @microbemailFacebook: MicrobeMailTiktok: @microbe.mailWatch this episode on our new YouTube channel: Microbe MailE-mail us: mail.microbe@gmail.com

In this episode Vin talks to experienced microbiologist Dr Jennifer Coetzee about an increasingly urgent issue: multidrug-resistant infections. With resistance to common antibiotics on the rise, the need for novel treatment agents has never been more pressing. Dr. Coetzee shares her insights on the latest treatments making headway in the fight against multidrug-resistant infections.About our Guest: Jennifer Coetzee is a qualified as a Clinical Microbiologist from University of Witwatersrand and spent time working as a Consultant at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. Currently working as a Consultant Microbiologist in the Clinical Microbiology and Molecular biology departments of Ampath’s National Reference Laboratory in Centurion, Gauteng. A member of South African Society of Clinical Microbiology (SASCM) as well as European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID).Research interests include documenting the emergence of carbapenemases in South Africa, and the epidemiology of invasive fungal infections.WE'D LOVE YOUR FEEDBACK ON THIS EPISODE – Visit the Microbe Mail website to sign up for updates Follow on:Instagram: Microbe_MailX/Twitter: @microbemailFacebook: MicrobeMailTiktok: @microbe.mailWatch this episode on our new YouTube channel: Microbe MailE-mail us: mail.microbe@gmail.com

Who knew that the Duke's criteria could be further modified? In Part 2, Vin and Ruan continue discussing infective endocarditis with the help of skilled cardiologist, Dr Raaesah Bhorat, this time discussing treatment: empiric, targeted and surgical therapy.About our Guest: Dr Raeesa Bhorat is a cardiologist at Sunninghill hospital, working as an interventional fellow under Professor Hellig. She completed her cardiology training at Groote Schuur hospital in 2024; and her interests include structural intervention and research in the application of artificial intelligence to cardiology, particularly the electrocardiogram. She completed her fellowship in internal medicine in 2019 and received her MBChB degree in 2013, cum laude.WE'D LOVE YOUR FEEDBACK ON THIS EPISODE – Visit the Microbe Mail website to sign up for updates Follow on:Instagram: Microbe_MailX/Twitter: @microbemailFacebook: MicrobeMailTiktok: @microbe.mailWatch this episode on our new YouTube channel: Microbe MailE-mail us: mail.microbe@gmail.com

Who knew that the Duke's criteria could be further modified? In this episode, Vin and Ruan explore this update to the criterion and other critical aspects of diagnosing and managing infective endocarditis with the help of skilled cardiologist, Dr Raeesa Bhorat.About our Guest: Dr Raaesah Bhorat is a cardiologist at Sunninghill hospital, working as an interventional fellow under Professor Hellig. She completed her cardiology training at Groote Schuur hospital in 2024; and her interests include structural intervention and research in the application of artificial intelligence to cardiology, particularly the electrocardiogram. She completed her fellowship in internal medicine in 2019 and received her MBChB degree in 2013, cum laudeWE'D LOVE YOUR FEEDBACK ON THIS EPISODE – Visit the Microbe Mail website to sign up for updates Follow on:Instagram: Microbe_MailX/Twitter: @microbemailFacebook: MicrobeMailTiktok: @microbe.mailWatch this episode on our new YouTube channel: Microbe MailE-mail us: mail.microbe@gmail.com

In July, Ruan braved the AIDS-related Mycoses workshop held in Cape Town as the lone Microbe messenger. He attended sessions where speakers discussed novel findings in the epidemiology, prevention, diagnosis and therapy for some of the deadliest fungal infections globally. In this episode he and Vin take through some of the brief discussions he had with some of the enlightening researchers. Meet our Guests: Dr Juan Louis Rodriguez Tudela MD, PhDDr Michail Lionakis, M.D., Sc.D.Dr Felix Bongomin, M.D., MScProf Alessandro Pasqualotto, Professor of Infectious Diseases, with special interest in medical mycology and Fellow of the European Confederation of Medical Mycology. Dr Trevor Mnguni, MBChB,  FCP(SA), Cert Pulm(SA)Prof Joseph Jarvis, Consultant Physician and Epidemiologist at Botswana-UPenn Partnership and Honorary Senior Lecturer, LSHTMWE'D LOVE YOUR FEEDBACK ON THIS EPISODE – Visit the Microbe Mail website to sign up for updates Follow on:Instagram: Microbe_MailX/Twitter: @microbemailFacebook: MicrobeMailTiktok: @microbe.mailWatch this episode on our new YouTube channel: Microbe MailE-mail us: mail.microbe@gmail.com

This week, we sit down with author, Dr Alastair McAlpine, to discuss his compelling book. In this thought provoking reflection, he shares insights into the unique challenges faced by doctors working in the public sector in South Africa. From systematic shortcomings to personal struggles, he takes us back to what inspired it all.About our Guest: Dr Alastair McAlpine is a paediatric infectious diseases physician who was born and raised in Johannesburg. His passions include preventing infections in kids, listening to noisy bands and encouraging his colleagues to prescribe ice cream more frequently. His new book Prescription: Ice Cream – A Doctor’s Journey to Discover What Matters is his engaging memoir about the highs and lows of working as a medical doctor in South Africa and how, with a little help from metal music and ice cream, he was able to struggle on, find meaning in the chaos and inspire others.WE'D LOVE YOUR FEEDBACK ON THIS EPISODE – Visit the Microbe Mail website to sign up for updates Follow on:Instagram: Microbe_MailX/Twitter: @microbemailFacebook: MicrobeMailTiktok: @microbe.mailWatch this episode on our new YouTube channel: Microbe MailE-mail us: mail.microbe@gmail.com

Microbe mail turns 3 on the 14th of September, and we wanted to keep things light for this time of the year. In this special episode we flip the script, literally, and swop our usual expert interviews for some team banter as Esther grills the team over a bunsen burner. We promise it’s more fun than a Petri dish!WE'D LOVE YOUR FEEDBACK ON THIS EPISODE – Visit the Microbe Mail website to sign up for updates Follow on:Instagram: Microbe_MailX/Twitter: @microbemailFacebook: MicrobeMailTiktok: @microbe.mailWatch this episode on our new YouTube channel: Microbe MailE-mail us: mail.microbe@gmail.com

In a world of emerging and eradicated pathogens, how has Malaria remained such a successful infection? Since its earliest description as "bad air", this mosquito-driven hazard has remained lethal in some populations and regions. This episode addresses significant updates in its epidemiology, tips on diagnostics, some commentary on the vaccine and a lot more.About our Guest: Dr. Jaishree Raman is a molecular biologist by training with a strong interest in malaria and public health. Jaishree currently heads the Laboratory for Antimalarial Resistance Monitoring and Malaria Operational Research (ARMMOR) at the NICD. The core focus of ARMMOR is to improve malaria diagnostic and treatment options and to assist South Africa and Africa eliminate malaria. To this end, ARMMOR hosts the South African National Surveillance Programme for Antimalarial Drug and Diagnostic Resistance Monitoring. As the chair of the case management sub-committee of the South African Malaria Elimination Committee, Jaishree has developed and delivered training courses aimed at capacitating the malaria programme staff on case management protocols and practices. She is a member of several regional networks, such as the Elimination 8 and Pathogen Diversity Network Africa, that are aiming to strengthen malaria genomic and bioinformatics capacity across Africa. She co-developed a leadership and management course for malaria elimination targeting malaria programme staff currently being delivered by GIBBS and the University of Pretoria and is also a mentor on the recently launched Pan-African Malaria Control Association (PAMCA) LiftHerUp initiative, which is focussing on increasing African women leaders in science, with a major focus on vector-borne diseases. Some resources from this episode:R21/Matrix-M vaccine: Phase 3 trial https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38310910/RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine: first results https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22007715/ RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine: final results https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(15)60721-8WE'D LOVE YOUR FEEDBACK ON THIS EPISODE – Visit the Microbe Mail website to sign up for updates Follow on:Instagram: Microbe_MailX/Twitter: @microbemailFacebook: MicrobeMailTiktok: @microbe.mailWatch this episode on our new YouTube channel: Microbe MailE-mail us: mail.microbe@gmail.com

Earlier this year, some of the Microbe messengers attended the 10th FIDSSA Congress held in Johannesburg, South Africa. Besides being presenters themselves, they met and interviewed medical researchers in various infectious disease related fields. This joint biennial congress hosted by the Federation of Infectious Diseases Societies of Southern Africa (FIDSSA) brings together healthcare professionals from its various societies, where members share research experiences and outcomes. Let's hope this acts as a catalyst for collaborative work, culminating in comprehensive guidance in the management of infectious diseases. To learn more about FIDSSA and its member societies visit: https://www.fidssa.co.za/This episode includes discussions with: Professor David LewisProfessor Robin PatelProfessor Lucille BlumbergProfessor Angela DramowskiDr Tholang KhumaloProfessor Eric Decloedt Some resources from this episode:Southern African HIV Clinicians Society 2022 guideline for the management of sexually transmitted infections: Moving towards best practice: http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/sajhivmed.v23i1.1450 Tanapox, South Africa: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37022936/NEISSERIA GONORRHOEAE ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE SURVEILLANCE IN GAUTENG PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA WE'D LOVE YOUR FEEDBACK ON THIS EPISODE – Visit the Microbe Mail website to sign up for updates Follow on:Instagram: Microbe_MailX/Twitter: @microbemailFacebook: MicrobeMailTiktok: @microbe.mailWatch this episode on our new YouTube channel: Microbe MailE-mail us: mail.microbe@gmail.com