Infectious Diseases Diagnostics: New Horizons in NGS, Rapid Tests, and AMR Control - European Medical Journal

Infectious Diseases Diagnostics: New Horizons in NGS, Rapid Tests, and AMR Control

The EMJ Podcast | Episode 247

In this episode of the EMJ Podcast, Jonathan Sackier sits down with Jose Alexander, Clinical Microbiologist and Director of Microbiology at AdventHealth Orlando, to explore the cutting edge of infectious disease diagnostics. From next-generation sequencing to rapid tests for brain-eating amoeba, Alexander shares insights into the latest innovations shaping the field, the fight against antimicrobial resistance, and the future of microbiology diagnostics. 

Spotify | Apple | Amazon Music | Download MP3 (49 mins)

Speaker bio: 

Jose Alexander is a Clinical Microbiologist and Director of Microbiology at AdventHealth Orlando, Florida, USA. Born and raised in Venezuela, Alexander earned his medical degree from the Central University of Venezuela before moving to the USA in 2010. He is a leader in antimicrobial resistance, epidemiology, and advanced molecular diagnostics having pioneered a rapid test for brain-eating amoeba that reduced diagnostic time to just 3 hours. His work in next-generation and whole genome sequencing is transforming the detection of tuberculosis and pneumococcal infections. 

Timestamps:
  • 00:00 – Introduction
  • 03:55 – Alexander’s introduction to microbiology
  • 05:42 – Developing a rapid test for a brain-eating amoeba
  • 09:40 – Where is this amoeba found?
  • 12:13 – Next-generation sequencing in infectious disease
  • 14:36 – Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype/genotype service
  • 17:06 – Vaccine hesitancy
  • 19:03 – Antimicrobial resistance
  • 22:02 – The discovery of a novel variant of Klebsiella pneumoniae
  • 24:32 – The clinical use of bacteriophages
  • 27:01 – The future of the field
  • 28:41 – Alexander’s three wishes for healthcare

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