HO HO HO, MERRY FISMAS!!! On the Second Pod of FISmas these ID:IOTS have for you… an all-enveloping, capsidating update on the High Consequence Infectious Diseases, measles, RSV and other viruses that you ‘R naught’ going to want to skip! Jame and Callum attended the Federation of Infection Societies 2024 annual meeting in Liverpool; here they shar…

HO HO HO, MERRY FISMAS!!! On the First Pod of FISmas these ID:IOTS have to you… a terrifying update on the Antibiotic Apocalypse! Jame and Callum attended the Federation of Infection Societies 2024 annual meeting in Liverpool; here they share their reflections on the sessions they attended on: Bacteria and Antimicrobial resistance. Episodes on viru…

Jame regales Callum with tales of his online adventure to the BSAC OPAT conference. Listen in to hear some updates on: implementation of OVIVA; subcutaneous antibiotics; and the BSAC OPAT good practice guidelines Notes for this episode here. Send us a text Support the show Questions, comments, suggestions to idiotspodcasting@gmail.com or on X/Threa…

WAAW! This week, to celebrate World AMR Awareness Week, Callum is Joined by Andrew, Fran, Jo and Simon from the Scottish Antimicrobial Prescribing Group. Listen in to hear all about SAPG and their important work, plus we discuss WAAW and what you can do to help tackle AMR. Show notes for this episode here, including links to the resources mentioned…

Have you ever looked at your microbiology lab report and wondered "What does resistant mean anyway?" We're sure you have (and if you haven't you should have)! And conveniently we've recorded this podcast episode to explain how it all works! We talk through the definition of S, I & R, plus some explanation on the science behind these letters. Show n…

They're new, they're weird, and we don't use them very much (or at all), but that won't stop your favourite ID:IOTS sounding off on these novel tetracyclines! In this episode we discuss: An overview of the 3 drugs, including spectrum & penetrance; pharmacokinetics; EUCAST breakpoints; resistance mechanisms; and the recommendations for use in the ID…

In which Jame talks about the rationale for IVOS, evidence base for the pros and cons, and then finishes by giving the UK oral switch criteria an absolute rinsing. Prep notes available here. Send us a text Support the show Questions, comments, suggestions to idiotspodcasting@gmail.com or on X/Threads @IDiots_pod Prep notes for completed episodes ca…

Moraxella means more moronic puns from Jame&Callum. A short episode for some short rods. Listen to hear about this coccobacillus, how to identify it in the lab and what sort of clinical syndromes it causes. Show note for this episode here Send us a text Support the show Questions, comments, suggestions to idiotspodcasting@gmail.com or on X/Threads …

Join Jame and Callum as they discuss this paper which examines where these new antibiotics are going, and why they aren't widely available. Notes for this episode here Send us a text Support the show Questions, comments, suggestions to idiotspodcasting@gmail.com or on X/Threads @IDiots_pod Prep notes for completed episodes can be found here (Not al…

Join Jame and Callum on this episode about the ultimate 4 rings of power: Tetracyclines. The swiss army knife of antibiotics. We talk through the history, uses, mechanism, PK/PD and resistance. Become a pharmacophile as you learn something about pharmacophores. Shows notes for this episode here Send us a text Support the show Questions, comments, s…

Jame and Callum are joined by Lee John and Ella for this episode around the arch-villain of atypical pneumonia and the bogeyman of every spa. Yes Legionella pneumophila (and friends) are addressed in depth whilst this podcast is aerosolised around the world. Show notes for this episode here Send us a text Support the show Questions, comments, sugge…

You'll be whooping with knowledge after listening to this one. Come hear all about Bordetella species. From pertussis to kennel cough you'll hear it all. Show notes for this episode here Send us a text Support the show Questions, comments, suggestions to idiotspodcasting@gmail.com or on X/Threads @IDiots_pod Prep notes for completed episodes can be…

The Spring Meeting of the British Infection Assocation is a must for UK infection trainees; In this week's episode Callum summarises for Jame (who was there, but didn't take any notes) the main learning points from the meeting. Show notes for this episode here BIA membership is FREE to UK infection trainees, reasonably priced for everyone else, and…

Jame was there but Callum wasn't! The British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy have several conferences throughout the year, including a Spring meeting with their AGM. But what topics were discussed, I hear you wonder? WELL WONDER NO MORE: Jame'll take you through it! Notes for this episode here Send us a text Support the show Questions, comm…

In this episode, the ID:IOTS Podcast Microbiome Correspondent Dr Anastasia "Tash" Theodosiou, finishes educating Callum and Jame (mostly Callum) on the concept of Microbiotoxicity! This episode is part 2 of 2. Here we discuss: - What is microbiotoxicity? - Risk factors for microbiotoxicity - Which antibiotics are associated with microbiotoxicity? -…

In this episode, the ID:IOTS Podcast Microbiome Correspondent Dr Anastasia "Tash" Theodosiou, returns to talk about her favourite subject! This episode is part 1 of 2. Here we discuss: - What is the microbiome - Viewing the microbiome as an organ system - The microbiome's association with disease - How we study the microbiome Stay tuned for part 2 …

Join us for this special 80th episode celebrating Jame's favourite trial. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1808312 Prep notes (including the images referred to in the poem) here. Special thanks to the Wikiguidelines Endocarditis crew for their work summarising the evidence this poem was based on. Send us a text Support the show Questions…

Presenting: More on Penicillin-Binding-Proteins than you realistically ever need to know! What is the difference between Gram positive and negative bacteria's cell walls? What is a Penicillin Binding Protein (PBP)? Why are they called PBPs? What do PBPs do? What makes MRSA resistant to (most) beta-lactams? These any many more questions answered! No…

One PK table to rule them all One table to find them One table to bring them all And in the darkness blind them… …with awesome antibiotic PK facts you can use to bedazzle your friends and enemies alike! Prep notes here. Send us a text Support the show Questions, comments, suggestions to idiotspodcasting@gmail.com or on X/Threads @IDiots_pod Prep no…

The last Pharmacokinetics episode had finally been …Excreted! This episode covers the ‘drug out’ bit of pharmacokinetics, including things such as: -What is clearance? -how to calculate half life and -doesn’t everything leave through the kidneys anyway? (That is sort of true, also shut up). Check out our prep notes (including for this episode) here…

It's the second Pharmacokinetics episode you never knew you wanted! Let’s talk about how antibiotics are distributed around the body once absorbed, using the examples of Amoxicillin and CallumShutUpicillin (listen to episode for clarification). What exactly is the volume of distribution? Want a handy reference for the plasma protein binding of vari…

It's the Pharmacokinetics episode you never knew you wanted! Callum didn't know either, but never mind that let's talk about how antibiotics are absorbed, and how we can use that to improve our use of them in clinical practice. Want ammunition for that oral switch? Got someone who's doubting oral antibiotics' effectiveness? Then this is the episode…

In this final episode of the Nobbling the Nonfermentors mini-series, Jame and Callum discuss the (mostly historical) pathogen Burkholderia mallei, causative agent of Glanders. We did it. We got to the end. Nonfermentors... Nobbled. Send us a text Support the show Questions, comments, suggestions to idiotspodcasting@gmail.com or on X/Threads @IDiots…

Post-publication, Callum and Jame give a little extra information on the SABATO trial in its final form compared to it's pre-publication state. Final article here: Efficacy and safety of an early oral switch in low-risk Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infection (SABATO): an international, open-label, parallel-group, randomised, controlled, non-in…

JOURNAL CLUB, YO, IT’S A SABATO!!! Join Jame and Callum as we travel back in time to when we recorded this deep dive into the SABATO trial pre-print, now peer-reviewed and published in the Lancet ID! In the next episode we'll give a little update as to how the final article differs from the preprint (not much). We also talked about in our FIS Highl…

In this penultimate episode in the Nobbling the Nonfermentors mini-series, Jame and Callum discuss the regionally important neglected tropical disease Melioidosis, caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei. This episode was based disproportionately on the following article, and we extend our thanks to the authors for thoughfully publishing it so close to…

In this Episode, Callum reflect on his recent runaway success passing the FRCPath Part 2, passes on some tips and tricks for the exam, and then we talk about what 3 antibiotics we would take with us to a Desert Island (that has all pathogens and environments where you would find said pathogens, so not just a desert apparently). 'Prepping to Pass' e…

How do you think about antibiotics? This Christmas we give the best gift of all: no puns in an episode. Join Jame and Callum as they talk about a method for thinking about and explaining antibiotics. Here are the show notes for this episode: https://idiots.notion.site/69-Choosing-an-antimicrobial-4e7446a91ff6413aa14924a2ba905ffa Send us a text Supp…

Did you think the evidence base for Stenotrophomonas was bad? Well allow us to introduce you to Burkholderia cepacia complex! BCC is pretty niche but a key pathogen in people living with cystic fibrosis. We talk through the (very) limited treatment options and evidence base for this difficult bug. Prep notes for this episode here: https://idiots.no…

Callum and Jame wrap up their thoughts on the recent FIS conference. Send us a text Support the show Questions, comments, suggestions to idiotspodcasting@gmail.com or on X/Threads @IDiots_pod Prep notes for completed episodes can be found here (Not all episodes have prep notes). If you are enjoying the podcast please leave a review on your preferre…

Join Jame, Callum and Pals for a discussion on some highlights from FIS 2023: https://microbiologysociety.org/event/full-events-listing/federation-of-infection-societies-fis-conference.html Mentioned in episode: ESCMID brain abscess guidelines: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1198743X23003993# ORAL study protocol: https://trialsj…

Join Jame, Callum and Pals for a discussion on some highlights from FIS 2023: https://microbiologysociety.org/event/full-events-listing/federation-of-infection-societies-fis-conference.html Mentioned in episode: UCHL HLH protocol and referral details: https://www.uclh.nhs.uk/our-services/find-service/medical-specialties-1/hlh-service SNAP trial: ht…

In this episode Jame and Callum are joined by Louis, host of the let's talk micro podcast. Listen in for a discussion on what a Biomedical Scientist is and how to become one. We explore the key details that clinicians need to add to their specimen request details; and ponder how laboratory managers can make this easier for clinicians. How to reques…

Ready for some startling Steno statistics? In this big 1-parter, Callum & Jame go through Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, from start to finish. Unlike Pseudomonas & Acinetobacter, Steno is much less commonly seen outside of ITU & the immunocompromised; but when it shows up you have to know what you’re doing. Luckily for you, there’s basically only 2 …

In Part 2 of our episodes on Acinetobacter we talk abouit resistance, and then do a deep dive into the evidence base for the management of CRAB: Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter Baumanii-calcoaceticus complex. Do have a look at the prep notes for this episode if you want more information on Acinetobacter. Links to podcasts mentioned in this episo…

In this episode, Callum and Jame go over the second big family of nonfermentors, Acinetobacter. In part 1 we talk about the organisms themselves, risk factors, clinical syndromes and diagnostics before talking a little about treatment. In Part 2 (released next week) we’ll talk about Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter Baumanii-calcoaceticus (CRAB), …

In part 2, we discuss the limited treatment options for pseudomonas infection, some wildcard options and the resistance mechanisms that make Pseudomonas such a tricky bugger to treat! Send us a text Support the show Questions, comments, suggestions to idiotspodcasting@gmail.com or on X/Threads @IDiots_pod Prep notes for completed episodes can be fo…

It was a long time coming, but it’s here. Jame and Callum set off on our mini-series, Nobbling the Nonfermentors, starting with an introduction to glucose-nonfermenting organisms before moving on to the biggie: Pseudomonas aeruginosa! Part 2 next week covers treatment of Pseudomonas, including a deep dive into Pseudomonas resistance mechanisms. Sta…

Jame and Callum were delighted to be invited as guests to the podcast Microbe Mail by host Vindana (Vin) Chibabhai. Check out the Microbe Mail podcast: https://microbemail.captivate.fm/ @microbemail We discuss how bactericidal and bacteriostatic are defined, what the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC…

Jame and Callum are together in person to talk about the importance of keeping your house in order. Being an infection specialist does not automatically make you an antimicrobial steward. We reflect on some challenges to being an antimicrobial steward when practising infection medicine The choosing wisely campaign mentioned by Jame: https://www.cho…

We were delighted to be joined by Dr Anastasia "Tash" Theodosiou to talk about breastfeeding, antibiotics and the risks of antibiotic harm to mum and baby. Tash is an infectious diseases/medical microbiology trainee, host of the HelloMicro blog and has volunteered as a Breastfeeding Peer Supporter. *Note the NICE guidelines have been updated and do…

2 years. It’s been a hell of a ride. Here’s to 2 more. Links from this episode: KASIC 1-page evidence-summary on aminopenicillins for resistant enterococcal UTIs: https://bit.ly/44CtNnq AUDIENCE SURVEY!!! Please do fill this out, it would mean a lot to us: https://forms.gle/aCq2djmfKPjA6tkMA. Send us a text Support the show Questions, comments, sug…

This is the urine antibiotic drug penetrance you never knew you wanted. Jame might be prouder of this than his own children. Callum, as you will be able to tell, remains indifferent*. Figure out which antibiotics you can trust, and which you can't. Use the table in the prep notes and links to win arguments, justify treating 'resistant' organisms in…

Catheter-associated UTI: Callum’s nemesis. His white whale. His Sauron. His favourite rant. Want to know how favourite? Listen on! Show notes for this episode here Useful links (see show notes for more) RICAT study Chlorhexidine meatal cleaning Send us a text Support the show Questions, comments, suggestions to idiotspodcasting@gmail.com or on X/Th…

Loyal Listeners! Free yourselves from this outdated language! Emancipate your hospitals from 'Escalation antibiotics'! In today's episode, Callum and Jame rant for 35 minutes about how we talk about changing therapy, and how talk of escalating antibiotics leads to desire for 'big gun' antibiotics. Apologies for Callum's audio quality on this episod…

The title says it all. We're going back to the lab for this discussion. Join Jame and Callum as they have an in depth discussion about the nature of urine culture. Prep notes for this episode available here. Send us a text Support the show Questions, comments, suggestions to idiotspodcasting@gmail.com or on X/Threads @IDiots_pod Prep notes for comp…

Ever wondered what a clinical scientist is or how to become one? Are you a clinical scientist and looking to sit the FRCPath exams? Join Jame and Callum as they talk to Phillipa Burns and Vicki Fleming about their experiences in preparing for their FRCPath exams in microbiology. Here are some of the resources mentioned during this episode: Colour a…

Welcome to the party pal! The penicillin allergy assessment and delabelling party, that is. Callum takes Jame through the latest evidence base in antibiotic allergy in general, and beta lactam allergy assessment and management in particular. Links: PENFAST Score paper: Trubiano JA et al. Development and Validation of a Penicillin Allergy Clinical D…

Join Callum with guests Morgan Evans, Olivia Hawkes and Katy Hill for the final(?) part of the ECCMID 2023 highlights ECCMID sessions discussed: - Antimicrobial stewardship poster session - Ethical dilemmas with antimicrobial therapy - The value of diagnostic information for antimicrobial stewardship - Tick borne diseases and prevention Music: http…

Join Callum with guests Andrew Seaton, Marianna Avellar, Hannah Pymont, Eva Garmendia, Sanjay Patel and Dave Hettle live from ECCMID 2023. ECCMID sessions discussed: - Fairytales or reality, checking some eminence paradigms for treatment of severe infections - Neglected tropical skin diseases - Non-canonical approaches to treatment of infections - …