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! Notion page here - you'll need it for this one, check it out!  Support the Show. Questions, comments, suggestions to [email protected] or...

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.  Support the Show. Questions, comments, suggestions to [email protected] 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 preferred...

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.  Support the Show. Questions, comments, suggestions to [email protected] or on X/Threads @IDiots_pod Prep notes for...

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 various antimicrobials? Then this is the episode for you! Check out our prep notes (including for this episode) here.  Support the show Questions,...

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 for you! Check out our prep notes (including for this episode) here.  Support the showQuestions, comments, suggestions to...

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.  Support the showQuestions, comments, suggestions to [email protected] 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...

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-inferiority trial, Kaasch, Achim J Valiente, Adoración et al. Lancet Infect Dis. 2024 Jan 17:S1473-3099(23)00756-9. PMID:...

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 Highlights Episode 3. We loved this trial and we hope you’ll all give it a read, it’s well worth it! Article here: Efficacy and safety of an...

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 us wanting to do a podcast episode on Melioid! Meumann, E.M., Limmathurotsakul, D., Dunachie, S.J. et al. Burkholderia pseudomallei and...

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' episodes mentioned: 40, 42, 43 & 50. The Table and Links mentioned in this episode can be found here:...

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  Support the showQuestions, comments, suggestions to [email protected] or on X/Threads @IDiots_pod Prep notes for completed episodes can be found here...

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.notion.site/68-Burkholderia-cepacia-complex-7bba8a7c74df490cb2e91d087a3cdb2a Support the showQuestions, comments, suggestions to...

Callum and Jame wrap up their thoughts on the recent FIS conference.  Support the showQuestions, comments, suggestions to [email protected] 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 preferred podcast app! Feel like giving back? Donations of caffeine gratefully received! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/idiotspod

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://trialsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13063-021-05783-8 ACBLM/ALM: https://www.acb.org.uk/ Pathology networks:...

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: https://www.snaptrial.com.au/ SNAP trial email: [email protected] SABATO (pre-print)...

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 request a...

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 treatments! (In Europe: you’ll see what I mean). 2 crap puns in this one, so… get ready for that.  Support the showQuestions,...

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 episode ID:IOTS Episode 41: Bugs Without Borders Febrile episodes 76 & 77: Piece de (Gram-negative) Resistance Episode 76 Episode 77 For links...

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), and resistance mechanisms in general.  Support the showQuestions, comments, suggestions to [email protected] or on X/Threads...

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!  Support the showQuestions, comments, suggestions to [email protected] 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 preferred podcast app! Feel like giving back?...

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. Stay tuned! Support the showQuestions, comments, suggestions to [email protected] or on X/Threads @IDiots_pod Prep notes for completed...

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) are and why this isn't as simple as it first seems. We then discuss specific clinical situations and where bactercidal vs static have been...

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.choosingwisely.org/ A course on Antimicrobial Stewardship which is a good starting...

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 not recommend trimethoprim in any stage of pregnancy Support the showQuestions, comments, suggestions to [email protected] or Tweet us...