Podcasts about laboratory medicine

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, is joined by William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., president and CEO of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, to discuss updates on the Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA) and other policy changes affecting clinical diagnostics. Later, Dr. Pritt welcomes Ann Moyer, M.D., Ph.D., a molecular genetic pathologist at Mayo Clinic and chair of the hereditary genetics practice, to explore how precision therapeutics are improving cancer treatments.PAMA update (00:01): Get the latest on PAMA as the first data collection period begins, including ongoing efforts to advance the Reforming and Enhancing Sustainable Updates to Laboratory Testing Services (RESULTS) Act.Policy changes influencing diagnostics (04:09): Learn how evolving reimbursement policies for blood-based cancer screening and a proposed CLIA modernization bill may impact the field.Pharmacogenomic tests improving cancer care (08:14): Discover how pharmacogenomics are benefiting patients with cancer, the benefits of medication-based testing, and how this field is advancing.ResourcesCMS: CLFS & PAMA reporting and resourcesPrecision Oncology Therapeutics: Personalized cancer treatmentAnswers From the Lab: Genetic Tests Identify Risk of Irinotecan-Induced Toxicity: John Logan Black, M.D.Answers From the Lab: Genetic Tests Identify Risk of Fluoropyrimidine-Induced Toxicity: Ann Moyer, M.D., Ph.D.

Patrick M Bossuyt, Tze Ping Loh, Katy Bell, Sally Lord, Andrea R Horvath. Frameworks of Health Outcomes for Performance Specifications in Laboratory Medicine. Clinical Chemistry, Volume 72, Issue 5, May 2026, Pages 546–553.  https://doi.org/10.1093/clinchem/hvag014

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, speaks with William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., president and CEO of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, about Ebola, hantavirus and takeaways from a recent healthcare conference. Later, she welcomes Elli Theel, Ph.D., a microbiologist in Mayo Clinic's Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, to explore vector-borne diseases.Top industry topics (00:04): Dr. Morice highlights key topics from a recent major healthcare conference, including AI and payment reform.Infectious diseases in the news (04:04): Overview of hantavirus, Ebola, and why laboratory medicine is important during outbreaks. Growing prevalence of vector-borne diseases (06:48): Insights on the growing prevalence of vector-borne diseases.Testing options (09:45): Understand the different types of testing available for pathogens and when it is best to use each one. Innovation and discovery (17:05): Discover emerging pathogens and advances in detection.Protect yourself (19:41): Learn easy ways to protect yourself and your family from vector-borne diseases. Note: Information in this post was accurate at the time of its posting.ResourcesForbes: Is hantavirus an emerging threat? What you need to knowVector-borne diseases by geographic regionVector-borne diseases: The right tests for detection and diagnosisLearn the ABCs of ticks

Dr. Frank Lee, a Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine and a 2026 winner of a March of Dimes Discovery Grant, discusses his research on HIF2 gene suppression as a way to treat preeclampsia.

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 16th Annual Meeting features William Morice, President and Chief Executive Officer, Mayo Collaborative Services / Mayo Clinic Laboratories. He discusses leading Mayo Clinic Laboratories through a major business transformation, balancing speed and decisiveness amid healthcare disruption, and ensuring technology and AI investments truly support clinicians and staff workflows.In collaboration with Insight Global.

Wenn Dopingmittel im Sport legal wären: Wären Wettkämpfe gerechter – oder erst recht unfair? Würde Sport spannender oder abschreckender? Und welchen Preis würden unsere Körper zahlen? Eure Hosts sind: Matthis Dierkes und Samira El Hattab Hörtipp: Der Sportschau-Podcast Sport Inside beschäftigt sich immer wieder mit Themen rund um Doping, Macht und Einfluss im Sport: https://www.ardsounds.de/sendung/sport-inside-dein-deep-dive-in-den-sport/urn:ard:show:3ee924fa40060d39/ Das sind unsere wichtigsten Quellen: ZDF-Interview mit dem deutschen Schwimmer Marius Kusch, der an den Enhanced Games teilnimmt: https://www.zdfheute.de/video/enhanced-games-marius-kusch-interview-schwimmen-100.html Informationen vom Veranstalter der Enhanced Games, die am 24. Mai 2026 in Las Vegas stattfinden: https://www.enhanced.com/games Ergebnisse einer YouGov-Umfrage zu Doping im Sport aus dem Jahr 2017: https://yougov.com/de-de/artikel/17514-doping-legalisieren-deutsche-sind-entschieden-gege Die aktuelle Verbotsliste der Nationalen Anti-Doping-Agentur: https://www.nada.de/medizin/verbotsliste Studie im International Journal of Laboratory Medicine zeigt, dass Dopingmittel auch im Breitensport weit verbreitet sind: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0004563215609952 Für einige Substanzen gibt es wenig belastbare wissenschaftliche Belege für eine tatsächliche Leistungssteigerung, Studie im Journal Current Sports Medicine Reports: https://journals.lww.com/acsm-csmr/abstract/2018/07000/physical_effects_of_anabolic_androgenic_steroids.5.aspx Leistungssteigernde Substanzen wie Anabolika sind mit erheblichen gesundheitlichen Risiken verbunden, Studie im Journal Endocrine Reviews: https://academic.oup.com/edrv/article-abstract/34/3/413/2354645?redirectedFrom=fulltext Der Missbrauch von Steroiden ist mit erheblichen Risiken verbunden, Studie in Springer Nature: https://link.springer.com/article/10.2165/00007256-200434080-00003 Doping-Skandale führen nicht zwangsläufig zu einer geringeren Zuschauerzufriedenheit, Studie im International Journal of Sports Marketing and Sponsorship: https://www.emerald.com/ijsms/article/26/6/32/1267272/The-impact-of-doping-scandals-on-on-site-spectator 0630 – der Newspodcast – hier gibt es auch immer wieder News zu verschiedenen Sportthemen: https://www.ardsounds.de/sendung/0630-der-news-podcast/urn:ard:show:6ee1f347f4e3de26/

Description: "When joint pain is present, the diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis needs to be made as soon as possible, ideally within six months to limit joint inflammation" Dr. Vinod Chandran mentions as he discusses efforts to identify a diagnostic test for those at risk of developing psoriatic arthritis.          Join host Jeff Brown as he speaks with leading rheumatologist and clinician scientist Dr. Vinod Chandran, Director of the Gladman Krembil Psoriatic Arthritis Program, Schroeder Arthritis Institute, University Health Network and the Departments of Medicine, Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, and the Institute of Medical Science at the University of Toronto to learn more about the progress and promising results towards developing a psoriatic arthritis diagnostic test through multi-omic assays and identifying the distinct differences between psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.  This episode provides an update on the progress to date of the NPF PsA Diagnostic Test grant initiative which has shown promising results with a potential test entering prospective study in multiple sites soon.   Thank you to Johnson and Johnson for their support of this program activity. Timestamps: (0:00)          Intro to Psoriasis Uncovered & guest welcome rheumatologist Dr. Vinod Chandran.    (0:52)          It is challenging to diagnose psoriatic arthritis with many factors leading to a delay in diagnosis. (4:56)          The start of Dr. Chandran's involvement with the PsA Diagnostic Test Grant project.   (7:55)          The different types of omics and the definition of multi-omic. (9:57)          How the multi-omic approach is used to find biomarkers relative to a specific disease pattern. (11:08)        Development of a predictive or prevention-based test using gene expression.      (13:46)        First year results identify 200 markers across different omic approaches that distinguish psoriatic arthritis from psoriasis.    (14:58)        The significance of MRNA vs mIcroRNA's use in development of a diagnostic test and how critical that is to dissemination of a                     potential test. (17:08)        Identifying the skin-joint axis in relation to different types of arthritis. (20:20)        Next steps to moving the diagnostic test research forward as a prospective study in multiple sites and the cost effectiveness of                  delivering the test.   (23:13)        If you have psoriasis, musculoskeletal, back, and joint pain think of psoriatic arthritis and be diagnosed early to maintain a good                 quality of life. Key Takeaways: ·       Given challenges associated with diagnosing psoriatic arthritis and the impact on quality of life, in 2019 NPF launched the PsA Diagnostic Test Grant project with the goal of developing an early stage test that would identify and diagnose those with psoriatic arthritis before debilitating  joint damage begins.   ·       Progress towards a PsA Diagnostic Test includes the study of multi-omic data sets where 200 distinct biomarkers have been identified leading to a greater understanding of the different pathways between psoriatic arthritis, psoriasis, and the skin joint axis.  ·       A potential diagnostic test is now moving towards the prospective study phase. Until the test is available and if joint pain is present and you have psoriasis, ask your health care provider if it could be psoriatic arthritis and treat appropriately.  Guest Bio: Vinod Chandran, MBBS, MD, DM, PhD is a rheumatologist, clinician scientist, and Director of the Gladman Krembil Psoriatic Arthritis Program, Schroeder Arthritis Institute, University Health Network and the Departments of Medicine, Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, and the Institute of Medical Science at the University of Toronto where he is also a Professor of Medicine. His specialties include internal medicine, immunology, rheumatology, and genetic epidemiology. His research focus is on the development of biomarker-based strategies to improve early diagnosis and prognosis of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, identification of new treatment targets especially for those who do not respond to current therapies, and strategies to reduce the impact of disease. Dr. Chandran is a Co-Vice President of the Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis or GRAPPA. He is an active collaborator in a multi-center research consortia such as the International Psoriasis and Arthritis Research Team and the Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada. Dr. Chandran is the recipient of research funding from the National Psoriasis Foundation for his work in identifying a "Multi-omic Diagnostic Test for PsA in Psoriasis Patients". Resources: "Understanding the NPF Psoriatic Arthritis Diagnostic Test Grant Outcomes" Advance Online. February 18, 2026.  "Managing Chronic Pain with Psoriatic Arthritis" Psoriasis Uncovered podcast episode with physiatrist Dr. Erin Maslowski, LB Herbert who lives with psoriatic disease, and moderator Susan McClelland-Tobert, a retired pediatric cardiologist who also lives with psoriatic disease. Glossary of terms: mRNA: Messenger RNA carries protein information or instructions from the DNA in a cell's nucleus to the cell's interior where the sequence is read and translated into corresponding amino acids for growing protein chains. Micro-RNA (miRNA):  Micro-RNA act as the regulator. They are short and bind to specific target mRNA's to degrade or inhibit production of protein. 

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, welcomes Brad Karon, M.D., Ph.D., division chair for Mayo Clinic's Clinical Core Laboratory Services and a member of the laboratory and pathologist stewardship team, to discuss laboratory stewardship strategies and why they matter.Why lab stewardship is important (00:44): How improved test utilization benefits laboratories, healthcare systems, and patients.Strategies for promoting lab stewardship (03:40): Proven approaches for improving appropriate test utilization.How industry disrupters will change stewardship efforts (09:33): How artificial intelligence and other emerging disruptors may reshape lab stewardship efforts.Note: Information in this post was accurate at the time of its posting.ResourcesFroedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin: Promoting laboratory stewardship through clinical decision supportFive steps to optimizing your outreach test menuHospital-owned labs generate long-term financial and clinical value

Laboratory medicine professionals deserve a seat at the decision-making table for patient care, but labs still seem to operate in the background. Laborastories host Dr. Paul J. Jannetto sits down with Dr. Christine Schmotzer, an associate professor in the department of pathology at Case Western Reserve University, to explore what keeps clinical labs stuck in the shadows, how they can step out of them, and how taking this step can improve patient outcomes. With special guest: Dr. Christine Schmotzer   Hosted by: Dr. Paul J. Jannetto

This episode recorded live at the Becker's 16th Annual Meeting features Dr. Stephen Master, MD, PhD, Vice Chair for Innovation, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Director, CHOP Center for Diagnostic Innovation, CHOP, Dr. Deborah Boles, PhD, Vice President, Research & Development, Labcorp, & Dr. Mindy Nye, PhD, MT (ASCP), D (ABMM), Vice President, Labcorp Diagnostics, Labcorp, who discuss how collaboration is accelerating diagnostic innovation and expanding access to pediatric care. They explore how shared infrastructure, aligned missions, and co-development models enable scalable, high-impact solutions for patients.This episode is sponsored by Labcorp.

In this episode, Doryan and Sophia are joined by Dr. Melody Boudreaux Nelson, Stephanie Whitehead, and Aaron Odegard, the amazing trio behind the children's book, Little Lab Learners: The ABCs of Laboratory Medicine. Tune in as we ask how the book came to life, what else they have planned, and the importance of reaching younger learners about the laboratory profession.

Learn how AI and whole genome sequencing are transforming rare disease diagnostics, reducing the diagnostic odyssey for families and enabling faster, more accurate clinical decision-making. This episode was recorded live at Becker's 16th Annual Meeting on April 15, 2026.It features insights from Dr. Shannon Haymond, Chief of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago and Vice Chair for Pediatric Pathology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and Dr. Calum Yacoubian, Director for Health Data Enablement, Applied AI Science, IQVIA. This episode is sponsored by IQVIA.

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, is joined by William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., president and CEO of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, to reflect on the essential role of laboratory medicine during National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week. Dr. Pritt also welcomes Julia Lehman, M.D., a dermatologist and dermatopathologist at Mayo Clinic, to discuss innovative diagnostic tests for autoimmune diseases affecting the skin.Laboratory medicine's expanding role (00:15): Learn how laboratory medicine touches nearly every aspect of healthcare — and why its importance will continue to grow with the integration of AI.An inspiring patient story (05:22): Hear how a young patient with a rare disease is able to pursue her passion for dance thanks to advances in laboratory medicine.Advances in testing for autoimmune blistering diseases (07:29): Discover how novel diagnostic tests are helping clinicians better tailor treatment for patients with complex skin conditions.Note: Information in this post was accurate at the time of its posting.ResourcesImmunodermatology: Unmatched testing expertiseA family's journey with an ultra-rare disease: Isabel the incredible

Matters Microbial #128: C. diff from Nursery to Nursing Home April 20, 2026 Today Dr. Joseph Zackular, Assistant Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, joins the #QualityQuorum to discuss some fascinating microbiology involving the bacterium Clostridiodes difficile (also known as C. diff), which can cause disease in infants, the elderly, and the immunocompromised. Host: Mark O. Martin Guest: Joseph Zackular Subscribe: Apple Podcasts, Spotify Become a patron of Matters Microbial! Links for this episode An essay about siderophores in bacteria. The Giant Microbes "Cdiff" toy. The website of Dr. Patrick Schloss. A link to the #MattersMicrobial podcast with Dr. Schloss. An overview of Clostridioides difficile from a patient / physician perspective. A review article of research involving Clostridioides difficile. An overview on polymicrobial diseases. A wonderful opinion piece by Dr. Arturo Casadevall regarding the term "pathogen." An overview of Enterococcus in the gut microbiome. The technology of imaging mass spectrometry. An article on Stickland fermentation of amino acids among gut bacteria. Work by Dr. Zackular and colleagues discussed in this podcast, describing how FMT can be used as a treatment. Work by Dr. Zackular and colleagues discussed in this podcast, describing how different members of the host microbiome interact, and how that relates to disease. Work by Dr. Zackular and colleagues discussed in this podcast, describing the role of amino acid metabolism to changes in microbiome structure. Work by Dr. Zackular and colleagues discussed in this podcast, describing how Enterococcus can modulate the disease causing characteristics of C. difficile. An interesting paper showing that polymicrobial effects are more common than expected. An article arguing that there is no single "healthy" microbiome. A lovely primer on this topic for most nonmicrobiologists.  An overview on fecal microbiome transplants and the treatment of human disease. The website for the Center for Microbial Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. A great video by Dr. Zackular and colleagues, well worth your time. Dr. Zackular's academic website. Dr. Zackular's laboratory website. Intro music is by Reber Clark Send your questions and comments to mattersmicrobial@gmail.com

Thomas J S Durant, Seung Joo Lee, Sarah N Dudgeon, Elizabeth Knight, Brent Nelson, H Patrick Young, Lucila Ohno-Machado, Wade L Schulz. Quantum Machine Learning and Data Re-Uploading: Evaluation on Benchmark and Laboratory Medicine Data Sets. Clinical Chemistry, Volume 72, Issue 4, April 2026, Pages 451–460. https://doi.org/10.1093/clinchem/hvaf192

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, is joined by William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., president and CEO of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, to discuss recent news and updates. Later, Dr. Pritt welcomes Chris Garcia, M.D., Mayo Clinic Laboratories' chief digital innovation officer, to explore digital advances in clinical diagnostics.AI systems for healthcare guidance (00:36): Learn how patients and consumers are using AI tools to better understand their health information.Diagnostic's digital innovation journey (07:43): Explore the evolution of digital advances, their impact on care today, and what lies ahead.Guidance for selecting new tools (20:51): Gain practical guidance on selecting new digital tools in the laboratory.Note: Information in this post was accurate at the time of its posting.ResourcesFrom Intake to Interpretation: How AI Assists Lab Teams TodayMaking the Promise of AI a Reality in Laboratory Medicine and Pathology

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, is joined by William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., president and CEO of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, to share industry updates and Mayo Clinic's test development success in 2025. Later, Dr. Pritt welcomes Janelle Santos, M.D., a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at Mayo Clinic, to discuss how she uses a preeclampsia test to care for her patients.Public policy insights for 2026 (00:34): Dr. Bill Morice shares insights on reimbursement and AI-related policy developments following an association meeting in Washington, D.C. An unprecedented year for test development (04:45): Discover how Mayo Clinic's record year for test development delivers value to Mayo Clinic's patients and Mayo Clinic Laboratories' clients.Novel preeclampsia testing (08:13): Learn how new clinical testing helps physicians improve outcomes for women at risk for preeclampsia and their babies.Note: Information in this post was accurate at the time of its posting.Resources4 steps to establishing a new approach to innovation Innovation beyond the bench: Translating science into better diagnostics and outcomesPreeclampsia: Empowering confident decision-making through preeclampsia risk assessmentAssay stratifies pregnant women's preeclampsia risk: Joshua Bornhorst, Ph.D. Preeclampsia sFlt-1/PIGF Ratio, Serum (Mayo ID: PERA)

Send us Fan MailArtificial Intelligence in Healthcare: From Diagnosis to Rehabilitation. Witek K, Nowocien M, Gerlach J, et al. Cureus 2026 Jan 25;18(1):e102286.Episode Summary: In this journal club deep dive on the Digital Pathology Podcast, we completely bypass the venture capital hype and science fiction narratives to look strictly at the hard clinical evidence surrounding artificial intelligence in medicine. We examine a monumental 2026 narrative review synthesizing a full decade's worth of data across the entire healthcare continuum—from diagnosis to rehabilitation. We explore the proven clinical benefits, the structural limitations, and the highly unpredictable reality of integrating these advanced algorithms into live clinical workflows.In This Episode, We Cover:• The Diagnostic Powerhouse: Why AI truly shines in visually intensive specialties like radiology, ophthalmology, dermatology, and digital pathology. We also unpack the crucial bottleneck: why algorithms that achieve board-certified performance in "open book" retrospective lab settings often struggle when faced with the messy, artifact-heavy reality of a live clinic.• Laboratory Medicine & LIS Optimization: How AI is functioning as a massive force multiplier behind the scenes. We discuss AI-driven lab test checkers that run continuous delta checks, acting as an algorithmic safeguard against inevitable human cognitive traps like anchoring bias during high-stress, 12-hour shifts.• Physical Rehabilitation & Robotics: AI stepping out of the computer monitor and interacting directly with the physical world. We explore robotic hand exoskeletons that process real-time electromyiography data to adapt to stroke patients millisecond by millisecond, and the use of large language models (LLMs) to design personalized therapy programs. We also discuss why massive multi-center prospective validation is required before these become the standard of care.• Conversational Agents (Chatbots): The delicate deployment of chatbots to bridge gaps in patient education and hold the line with immediate interventions for vulnerable individuals stuck on mental health waitlists. We emphasize why these agents must remain strictly as clinical adjuncts and triage tools, not replacements for empathetic human caregivers.• The Four Pillars of Friction: The massive structural hurdles preventing immediate global deployment: generalizability and algorithmic bias, the "black box" of algorithmic transparency, infrastructure limitations, and the scramble by organizations like the FDA and EU to establish proper regulatory oversight.Key Takeaway: The ultimate takeaway from a decade of data is that AI is a supportive clinical decision support technology, emphatically not a replacement for human healthcare professionals. The future of healthcare is the convergence of human and artificial intelligence; by letting algorithms absorb the heavy lifting of routine data verification, we may finally create the necessary breathing room to make clinical medicine profoundly human againSupport the showGet the "Digital Pathology 101" FREE E-book and join us!

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, is joined by William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., president and CEO of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, to explore recent examples of diagnostic innovations that are improving patient care. Dr. Pritt also welcomes Matthew Schultz, Ph.D., a clinical biomedical geneticist at Mayo Clinic, to discuss how a novel test is delivering answers for patients with a recently identified peripheral neuropathy. Transplant testing innovations (00:57): Discover how advances in clinical diagnostics are improving transplant outcomes at Mayo Clinic. Advances reshaping rheumatoid arthritis diagnostics (06:06): Learn how early-stage research and emerging tools are reshaping care for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. New test for peripheral neuropathy (08:18): A novel test created to support care for patients with a recently identified condition now supporting research to advance care. Note: Information in this post was accurate at the time of its posting.ResourcesRewriting the future of rheumatoid arthritis: How early detection is transforming preventionCultivating a comprehensive test menu for organ transplant patientsScreening test for sorbitol dehydrogenase deficiency-related neuropathy (SORD)Innovative SORD test provides clarity for two young patients: Justin Fugelsang and Zach Pedowitz

Dr. Bobbi S. Pritt joins Tick Boot Camp Podcast for a scientific deep dive into Lyme disease diagnostics, co-infections, and emerging tick-borne pathogens. Dr. Pritt is Professor and Chair of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic and Director of the Clinical Parasitology Laboratory in Rochester, Minnesota. An internationally recognized expert in vector-borne diseases, she is globally known for discovering new tick-borne pathogens—including Borrelia mayonii and Ehrlichia muris eauclairensis—and for advancing cutting-edge molecular and metagenomic diagnostic testing used nationwide. This episode offers essential clarity for anyone navigating Lyme disease, unexplained symptoms, or confusing test results. Dr. Pritt explains why standard tests often miss early Lyme, how PCR and molecular tools can detect active infection, and what metagenomic sequencing may offer for more accurate and comprehensive diagnostics in the future. Episode Summary Dr. Pritt breaks down how Lyme and other tick-borne diseases are detected through antibody testing, PCR, tissue analysis, and cutting-edge molecular methods. She explains how her lab discovered multiple new pathogens in the upper Midwest, the role of tick species in disease transmission, and why co-infections complicate diagnosis. This conversation also explores geographic spread, climate change, tick behavior, and the strengths and limitations of today's test algorithms. Key Topics • Discovery of Borrelia mayonii as a second cause of Lyme disease in the U.S. • Identification and characterization of Ehrlichia muris eauclairensis • Geographic hotspots and why the upper Midwest produces unique pathogens • Tick species differences: blacklegged vs. lone star ticks and their hunting strategies • Co-feeding in ticks and its role in pathogen evolution • Why early Lyme tests often return false-negative results • The science behind false positives and cross-reactivity • PCR advantages and limitations for detecting Borrelia • When skin biopsies can outperform blood tests • Differentiating Lyme, B. miyamotoi, Anaplasma, Babesia, and Powassan virus • When clinicians should order a full tick-borne disease panel • How climate and ecological changes drive new tick-borne threats • The promise of metagenomics and immune-signature diagnostics What You'll Learn • Why current Lyme testing algorithms struggle in early infection • How new tick-borne pathogens are discovered and validated • Why lone star ticks are more aggressive and changing regional risk • When and why molecular testing is more effective • What symptoms point to co-infections needing additional testing • Why doxycycline is not effective for certain pathogens like Babesia • How metagenomic sequencing could identify every pathogen in a single sample • Where diagnostic innovation is heading and what patients can expect

In this episode of Let's Talk Micro, we step beyond the microbiology bench to talk laboratory medicine, advocacy, and storytelling with fellow medical laboratory scientists and podcasters Stephanie Whitehead and Aaron Odegard. We explore how their work on the SuperStat Podcast is helping amplify the voice of the laboratory through conversations on leadership, access, and visibility. The discussion also highlights Little Lab Learners: ABCs of Laboratory Medicine, a children's book created to introduce laboratory medicine early and inspire future lab professionals. Together, we talk about lab career paths, the impact of automation and the pandemic on lab visibility, and why advocacy doesn't look the same for everyone—but matters now more than ever. This episode is a reminder that the lab's story doesn't end at the bench—it's one we all help tell.  

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, is joined by William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., president and CEO of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, to discuss recent industry news and how collaborations are helping drive transformation in clinical diagnostics. Together, they explore:Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA) delay (01:09): Dr. Morice shares what the latest delay of PAMA means for laboratories.FDA guidance on wearables (02:23): Learn about recent FDA guidance that allows more non‑invasive wearables to be classified as wellness devices. Collaboration as a driver of innovation (06:20): Discover why collaboration is critical to advancement in clinical diagnostics.Note: Information in this post was accurate at the time of its posting.ResourcesGroundbreaking collaborationsMary Jo Williamson offers four steps to maximize collaboration benefitsDr. Bill Morice shares how a platform for collaboration transforms diagnostics“Answers From the Lab” podcast: “Forging Collaborations That Deliver Better Outcomes”

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, is joined by William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., president and CEO of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, to discuss Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA) reform and celebrate an exciting milestone for Dr. Pritt's “Creepy Dreadful Wonderful Parasites” blog. Later in the episode, Dr. Pritt welcomes Angie Reese-Davis, Mayo Clinic Laboratories' director of operations, to explore how proactive monitoring, shipping workflows, teamwork, and ongoing process improvements all contribute to a resilient lab logistics system. PAMA reform update (00:34): Get the latest on PAMA delays and the new Reforming and Enhancing Sustainable Updates to Laboratory Testing Services (RESULTS) Act.Creepy Dreadful Wonderful Parasites (04:24): Go behind the scenes of the 800 parasite cases Dr. Pritt has featured on her long-running blog.Logistics at Mayo Clinic Laboratories (08:09): Learn how the team manages and tracks the 40,000 samples that arrive each day.Process improvement and resiliency (12:49): Discover how the logistics team continues to innovate and evolve to support clients more efficiently and effectively.Note: Information in this post was accurate at the time of its posting.

Tick-borne diseases continue to expand across North America, but diagnosing them in the clinical laboratory remains complex—especially when timing between symptom onset and testing isn't considered. In this episode of Let's Talk Micro, Luis is joined by Kyle Rodino, Assistant Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and Assistant Director of Microbiology, for a lab-focused discussion on tick-borne disease diagnostics. They cover major bacterial, parasitic, and viral causes of tick-borne disease, and walk through how molecular testing, serology, and microscopy are used at different stages of illness. The conversation highlights why test selection and timing matter, common diagnostic challenges—particularly with Babesia and Lyme disease testing—and how laboratories can support better diagnostic decision-making. A practical episode for microbiologists, laboratorians, and clinicians navigating real-world testing challenges in the lab.   Additional resources: Update on North American tick-borne diseases and how to diagnose them https://doi.org/10.1128/jcm.00807-23   Stay connected with Let's Talk Micro: Website: letstalkmicro.com Questions or feedback? Email me at letstalkmicro@outlook.com Interested in being a guest on Let's Talk Micro? Fill out the form here: https://forms.gle/V2fT3asjfyusmqyi8   Support the podcast: Venmo Buy me a Ko-fi  

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, is joined by William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., president and CEO of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, to discuss 2026 trends. Together, they explore:  JP Morgan Healthcare Conference (00:34): Dr. Morice shares his top observations and takeaways after attending this year's conference. Artificial intelligence (06:02): Anticipated benefits and risks of AI developments predicted in 2026.Reimbursement and regulation (13:43): Why reimbursement and regulation continue to be areas of significant interest in clinical diagnostics. Note: Information in this post was accurate at the time of its posting.ResourcesTransforming laboratory medicine through AI: From promise to practice"Answers From the Lab" podcast: Breakthroughs and Trends That Defined Lab Medicine in 2025"Answers From the Lab" podcast: PAMA Update and Accelerating Research and Development With BioPharma Diagnostics

Have questions about brain health and heart health? Ask them live. Join Virtual Defy Dementia: Meet the Expert — The Heart of a Healthy Brain on Feb 26, 2026 (10:30–12 PM EST) for a live, interactive Q&A on how cardiovascular health impacts dementia risk. Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Aj64ootuTF-0qn0tfc0JaQ Depression is a dementia risk factor. In this special episode marking Blue Monday – a day to discuss mental health – we'll discuss the relationship between depression and dementia. We'll hear from Faith Rockburne, Peer Support Specialist with St. Michael's Hospital and an Educator at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, as she shares her journey with depression, and the tools and strategies she used to break her cycle of mental illness, including never losing hope. And Dr. Zahinoor Ismail, Clinician Scientist and Professor of Psychiatry, Neurology, Epidemiology, and Pathology & Laboratory Medicine at the Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, will share his learnings and insights on the link between depression and dementia risk, and some of the ways depression can be treated and managed. Tune in at defydementia.org, or anywhere you get your podcasts. ​​Faith Rockburne is a Lived Experience Advocate for mental health. Since 2013, Faith has shared her journey with mental illness with a wide variety of audiences to help break the stigma of mental illness. She is also a Peer Support Specialist with St. Michael's Hospital and an Educator at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. Dr. Zahinoor Ismail is a Clinician Scientist and Professor of Psychiatry, Neurology, Epidemiology, and Pathology & Laboratory Medicine at the Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary. He is certified in Behavioural Neurology & Neuropsychiatry and Geriatric Psychiatry, with over 25 years of clinical experience. He has published almost 350 scientific papers, is Chair of the Canadian Conference on Dementia and of the Canadian Consensus Conference on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Dementia Guideline Group, and was Co-Chair of the Government of Canada Ministerial Advisory Board for Dementia from 2023-2025.

Welcome to Episode 52 of “The 2 View,” the podcast for EM and urgent care nurse practitioners and physician assistants! NSAIDs National Institutes of Health. (2022). Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs. LiverTox: Clinical and research information on drug-induced liver injury. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK548614/ LFTs / Drug-Induced Liver Injury American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. (2023). Practice guidance on drug, herbal, and dietary supplement–induced liver injury. Hepatology. Retrieved from https://journals.lww.com/hep/fulltext/2023/03000/aasldpracticeguidanceondrug,herbal,and.28.aspx Toxicology Screening StatPearls Publishing. (2023). Toxicology screening. StatPearls. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499901/ Academy of Diagnostic & Laboratory Medicine. (2023). Testing for drugs of misuse to support the emergency department. Retrieved from https://myadlm.org/science-and-research/academy-guidance/testing-for-drugs-of-misuse-to-support-the-emergency-department CT Utilization / Imaging American College of Emergency Physicians. (2022). The renewed necessity of robust clinical judgment in CT scan utilization. ACEP Now. Retrieved from https://www.acepnow.com/article/the-renewed-necessity-of-robust-clinical-judgment-in-ct-scan-utilization/ Appropriate Testing / Overuse Context Melnick, E. R., et al. (2023). GRACE-2: Guidelines for reasonable and appropriate care in the emergency department. Academic Emergency Medicine. Retrieved from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/acem.14495 More from us: Our CME courses: EM Boot Camp: https://courses.ccme.org/course/embootcamp/about EM Boot Camp Pharmacology Workshop: https://bit.ly/2I44xld Bouncebacks! Medical & Legal: https://courses.ccme.org/education/bouncebacks-medical-and-legal Mastering Emergency Imaging: https://courses.ccme.org/education/mastering-emergency-imaging Advanced EM Boot Camp: https://courses.ccme.org/course/advancedbootcamp/about Advanced ECG Workshop: https://bit.ly/aembc-ecg Advanced Imaging Workshop: https://bit.ly/aembc-imaging EM & Acute Care: https://courses.ccme.org/course/ema/about National EM Board Review: https://courses.ccme.org/course/nembr/about High Risk Emergency Medicine: https://courses.ccme.org/course/hrem The Heart Course: https://courses.ccme.org/course/theheartcourse The Cadaver-Based Procedures & Suturing Courses: https://courses.ccme.org/course/cadaver EM:Prep LLSA Review: https://courses.ccme.org/course/em-prep/about EMCert Module Mastery: https://courses.ccme.org/course/emcertmodule USC Trauma Course: https://courses.ccme.org/course/usc-trauma ACOEP Scientific Assembly: https://courses.ccme.org/course/acoep Mastering Acute Care Charting - 2023 Updates: https://courses.ccme.org/course/macc Flourishing in Medicine: https://courses.ccme.org/course/flourishing-in-medicine The DEA Licensee SUD Training Course: https://courses.ccme.org/course/dea ACOFP On-Demand: https://courses.ccme.org/education/acofp25-clinical-selects The Airway and Lung Course: https://courses.ccme.org/education/airway Mastering Pediatric Emergencies: https://courses.ccme.org/course/pediatric-em Innovations in ED Management: https://courses.ccme.org/course/innovationsined American Osteopathic Association Courses: https://aoa.coursehost.net EM Cases Summit: https://courses.ccme.org/education/em-cases-summit-2024 IncrEMentuM Conference – On-Demand: https://courses.ccme.org/education/incrementum-2025 Our social media: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ccmecourses Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ccmecourses Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CenterForMedicalEducation LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickbukata Our podcasts: The 2 View Podcast (Free): Subscribe on Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/3rhVNZw​ Subscribe on Google Podcasts: http://bit.ly/2MrAHcD​ Subscribe On Spotify: http://spoti.fi/3tDM4im Risk Management Monthly Podcast (Paid CME): https://www.ccme.org/riskmgmt ** The information in this video is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor/health professional. The information in this video is for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. You should contact your attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem. Nothing here should be construed to form an attorney-client relationship. ** emergencymedicine #cme

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, is joined by William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., president and CEO of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, to discuss direct-to-consumer testing. Then, Dr. Pritt welcomes Matthew Binnicker, Ph.D., a microbiologist and virologist and chief scientific officer of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, for a conversation about accelerating innovation without compromising quality or safety. Direct-to-consumer testing (00:38): Explore the rise of direct-to-consumer testing and the challenges that accompany it. Evolving expectations for innovation (05:38): Understand why patient and clinician expectations are rising and how that is reshaping diagnostics.Safeguarding advances (07:23): Learn the foundational principles that protect quality and safety amid rapid innovation.Strategies for accelerating innovation (10:33): Discover practical ways to responsibly deliver novel solutions more quickly.Note: Information in this post was accurate at the time of its posting.ResourcesFive ways to move faster without compromising trust in diagnostics"Answers From the Lab” podcast: Breakthroughs and Trends That Defined Lab Medicine in 2025360Dx: 2025 highlights and takeaways for the clinical lab industry

Behzad Najafian, MD, Professor, Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, Department of Medicine at the University of Washington, Washington, USA discusses the use of artificial intelligence in identifying and managing lysosomal disorders.This continuing education activity is provided through collaboration between the Lysosomal and Rare Disorders Research and Treatment Center (LDRTC), CheckRare CE, and AffinityCE. This activity provides continuing education credit for physicians, physician assistants, nurses, nurse practitioners, and genetic counselors. A statement of participation is available to other attendees.To obtain CME/CE credit, visit https://checkrare.com/learning/p-grids2025-session1-ai-in-medicine-transforming-the-landscape-of-tissue-based-diagnostics/Learning ObjectivesDescribe recent advances in the applications of AI in lysosomal disorder diagnosis and its clinical relevanceFacultyBehzad Najafian, MD Professor, Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, Department of Medicine, University of WashingtonDisclosuresAffinityCE staff, LDRTC staff, planners, and reviewers, have no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose. Faculty disclosures, listed below, will also be disclosed at the beginning of the Program.Behzad Najafian, MDDr. Najafian is on the Advisory Board/Consultant for Sanofi, Amicus, Avrobio, 4DMT,Sangamo, Freeline, AceLink, Relay, CRISPR, ELOXX, SPARK, UNIQURE. He receives grants/research support from Amicus. Mitigation of Relevant Financial RelationshipsAffinityCE adheres to the ACCME's Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CME activity, including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others, are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity. Conflicts of interest for presenting faculty with relevant financial interests were resolved through peer review of content by a non-conflicted reviewer.Accreditation and Credit DesignationPhysiciansThis activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of AffinityCE and the LDRTC. AffinityCE is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.AffinityCE designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.Physician AssistantsAffinityCE designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physician Assistants should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.NursesAffinityCE is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation (ANCC). This activity provides a maximum of 1 hours of continuing nursing education credit.Nurse PractitionersAffinityCE designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Nurse practitioners should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.Genetic CounselorsAffinityCE designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Genetic Counselors should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.Other ProfessionalsAll other health care professionals completing this continuing education activity will be issued a statement of participation indicating the number of hours of continuing education credit. This may be used for professional education CE credit. Please consult your accrediting organization or licensing board for their acceptance of this CE activity. Participation CostsThere is no cost to participate in this activity.CME InquiriesFor all CME policy-related inquiries, please contact us at ce@affinityced.comSend customer support requests to cds_support+ldrtc@affinityced.com

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, welcomes William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., president and CEO of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, to explore recent news updates and key advancements shaping the industry in 2025.Staying healthy during the holidays (00:18): Discover how to protect yourself and others as a new influenza strain, holiday gatherings, and increased travel raise the risk of spreading viruses. 2025 breakthroughs and trends (04:31): Learn more about the technologies, regulations, and innovation influencing the future of clinical diagnostics. Note: Information in this post was accurate at the time of its posting.Resources"Answers From the Lab” podcast: Innovations Set to Shape the Industry in 2025Dr. Morice shares trends and predictions for 2025Mayo Clinic Minute: How to prepare for the influenza seasonMayo Clinic Minute: Wash your hands for better healthVaccines and viruses: Protecting health across generations

In this "ABCs of MOGAD" episode, "Steroid Dependence," Krissy Dilger of SRNA was joined by Dr. Eoin Flanagan from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. They began with a summary of how steroids are used to manage MOG antibody disease, particularly during acute attacks [00:01:25]. Dr. Flanagan described the mechanics of steroids in reducing brain inflammation and the importance of early treatment [00:04:14]. They discussed the concept of steroid dependence and the complications that arise when tapering down the steroid dose [00:05:46]. Dr. Flanagan highlighted alternative treatments to manage steroid dependence and emphasized the importance of working closely with healthcare providers to safely reduce steroid use over time [00:09:42].Eoin Flanagan, MB, BCh is a Professor of Neurology and Consultant in the departments of Neurology and Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at the Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN). He completed his medical school training at University College Dublin in Ireland in 2005. He did a medical residency in Ireland and then completed neurology residency, fellowships in neuroimmunology and a master's in clinical and translational science at Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN). He works in the Autoimmune Neurology and Multiple Sclerosis Clinics and the Neuroimmunology Laboratory at the Mayo Clinic.His clinical expertise and research are focused on inflammatory myelopathies and their imaging patterns, myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody associated disorder, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders, autoimmune encephalitis, paraneoplastic neurologic disorders, and multiple sclerosis. He is principal investigator on an NIH RO1 grant studying MOG antibody associated disorder.00:00 Introduction01:25 Understanding Steroids in MOG Antibody Disease04:14 Steroid Dosage and Administration05:46 Steroid Dependence in MOGAD Patients09:42 Managing Steroid Dependence14:02 Balancing Inflammation Control and Steroid Risks17:31 Conclusion

Published Dec. 4, 2025In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, is joined by William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., president and CEO of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, to discuss Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA) reform and the first reported death from alpha-gal syndrome. Later, Dr. Pritt welcomes Chris Garcia, M.D., Mayo Clinic Laboratories' chief digital innovation officer and medical director of BioPharma Diagnostics, to explore how biopharma diagnostics advance research and development. PAMA reform update (00:33): Get the latest on where reform to PAMA stands following the federal government's reopening.Alpha-gal syndrome case (03:22): Learn about the first known death from alpha-gal syndrome and diagnostic testing for this tick-bite-triggered red meat allergy.Biopharma's role in research and development (07:52): Discover how biopharma diagnostics fuel innovation and how digital tools are expanding its future impact.  Note: Information in this post was accurate at the time of its posting.ResourcesBioPharma Diagnostics: Connecting pharma and biotechTick-borne disease: An expanding geographic threat

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, is joined by William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., president and CEO of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, to discuss recent news about Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA) reform. Then, Dr. Pritt welcomes Trish Simner, Ph.D., a clinical microbiologist at Mayo Clinic, for an in-depth conversation about metagenomics. PAMA reform update and new RESULTS Act (00:30): Hear about options under consideration for PAMA reform, including the Reforming and Enhancing Sustainable Updates to Laboratory Testing Services (RESULTS) Act.When cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) metagenomics benefit patient care (06:04): Explore how CSF metagenomics work and when it is appropriate to use this advanced diagnostic tool in clinical practice.Advancement and innovation in metagenomics (18:15): Discover how recent and upcoming innovation is expanding metagenomic testing capabilities. Note: Information in this post was accurate at the time of its posting.ResourcesAnswers From the Lab podcast: Developments for LDT Regulation and Laboratory Reimbursement: Bill Morice, M.D., Ph.D.Metagenomics: Identifying elusive pathogenic microorganisms

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, welcomes William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., president and CEO of Mayo Clinic Laboratories. Together, they discuss recent news about virus activity and explore the value of collaboration in shaping innovative diagnostic strategies.   Testing for viruses appearing closer to home (00:45): Gain insights on using available testing to manage measles and detect chikungunya, which was recently transmitted in the U.S. for the first time in years. Collaborating for more coordinated care and innovation (06:04): Explore how strategic partnerships in diagnostics foster innovation and enable a more integrated approach to clinical decision-making.Building successful collaborations (12:16): Discover practical insights into establishing and maintaining collaborations that deliver meaningful value to all involved. Note: Information in this post was accurate at the time of its posting.ResourcesAnswers From the Lab Podcast: How the Evolving Role of Diagnostics and Platforms Impact Healthcare: Bill Morice, M.D., Ph.D. Dr. Bill Morice shares how a platform for collaboration transforms diagnosticsMary Jo Williamson offers four steps to maximize collaboration benefits

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, is joined by William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., CEO and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, to discuss recent news about drug-resistant infections. Later, Paul Jannetto, Ph.D., director of the Clinical and Forensic Toxicology Lab, Clinical Mass Spectrometry Lab, and Metals Lab, joins Dr. Pritt for the deep dive segment. Together, they explore how diagnostics are shaping the future of therapeutics.  New podcast format launch (00:25): Drs. Morice and Pritt introduce the exciting new format for “Answers From the Lab,” including the addition of in-depth expert segments.   Drug-resistant infections (02:05): Discover how clinical diagnostics play a critical role in combating the growing threat of antibiotic resistance. Diagnostics' role in advancing precision medicine (13:28): Learn how diagnostics, specifically drug monitoring, are advancing personalized therapies and contributing to better outcomes. Note: Information in this post was accurate at the time of its posting. Resources Therapeutics testing: A clear path to accurate answers Therapeutics testing at Mayo Clinic Laboratories WHO warns of widespread resistance to common antibiotics worldwide Tests for infectious disease detection and identification  Connect with Us Is there a question or topic you'd like us to explore in a future episode? Email us at mayocliniclabs@mayo.edu. Learn more about our hosts and guests and connect with them on social media.  Bobbi Pritt, M.D.  Bio  |  LinkedIn Bill Morice, M.D., Ph.D. Bio  |  LinkedIn Paul Jannetto, Ph.D. Bio  |  LinkedIn

Published October 16, 2025 In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, and William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., CEO and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, discuss recent regulatory and policy developments. Together, they explore:FDA rescinds rule on LDTs (00:48): The FDA has officially withdrawn its rule that would allow oversight of laboratory-developed tests (LDTs) as medical devices. The conversation explores what this decision means and what might come next for LDT regulation.PAMA reform update and new RESULTS Act (05:13): The newly introduced Reforming and Enhancing Sustainable Updates to Laboratory Testing Services (RESULTS) Act aims to address reimbursement for laboratory tests.Getting engaged (12:37): Why it is important to understand new regulatory policies and help others understand their implications for the industry.ResourcesFind past “Answers From the Lab” podcasts on LDTs and PAMA

Published October 2, 2025 In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, and Elitza Theel, Ph.D., director of the Infectious Diseases Serology Laboratory at Mayo Clinic, discuss the latest developments in self-collection testing for women's health and beyond. Together, they explore:New podcast format launching (00:01): Dr. Pritt previews exciting changes coming to “Answers From the Lab.” Emerging self-collection tests (01:21): Explore the growing range of self-collection tests now available for use in both clinical settings and at home.Validation of self-collection tests (03:19): Learn how laboratorians validated recent self- and home-collection tests to ensure quality and accuracy. Benefits for patients and public health (06:56): Understand the benefits self-collection tests offer to patients and how the tests impact public health.Limitations and implementation considerations (08:23): Review key factors to consider when incorporating self-collection testing into clinical care.Future innovation (11:34): Insights into where self-collection testing may evolve in the years ahead.

Brain-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal proBNP (NT-proBNP) levels originate from the cardiac cells in response to cardiac strain. This may come from a pulmonary embolus, an acute severe infection (sepsis), or cardiomyopathy. But what is the relationship between these 2 cardiac biomarkers and preeclampsia? Can preeclampsia with severe features result in an abnormal rise in these 2 proteins exclusive to heart failure. Listen in to this real case scenario which our on call team cared for. 1. Serum Levels of N-Terminal Pro-Brain Natriuretic Peptide in Gestational Hypertension, Mild Preeclampsia, and Severe Preeclampsia: A Study From a Center in Zhejiang Province, China. Zheng Z, Lin X, Cheng X. Medical Science Monitor: International Medical Journal of Experimental and Clinical Research. 2022;28:e934285. doi:10.12659/MSM.934285.2.Evaluation of B-Type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) Levels in Normal and Preeclamptic Women. Resnik JL, Hong C, Resnik R, et al. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2005;193(2):450-4. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2004.12.006.3.Increased B-Type Natriuretic Peptide Levels in Early-Onset Versus Late-Onset Preeclampsia. Szabó G, Molvarec A, Nagy B, Rigó J. Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine. 2014;52(2):281-8. doi:10.1515/cclm-2013-0307.4. Association of N-Terminal Pro–Brain Natriuretic Peptide Concentration in Early Pregnancy With Development of Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy and Future Hypertension.5. Hauspurg A, Marsh DJ, McNeil RB, et al. JAMA logoJAMA Cardiology. 2022;7(3):268-276. doi:10.1001/jamacardio.2021.5617.STRONG COFFEE PROMO: 20% Off Strong Coffee Companyhttps://strongcoffeecompany.com/discount/CHAPANOSPINOBG

Send us a textDrug-resistant germs are hidden killers in more than one way. Not only are the microbes invisible to the human eye, in many places, they're invisible because people simply are not looking for them systematically.Doctors often do not know what infections their patients have and treat them based on best guesses, which allows for ineffective treatments and exacerbates drug resistance. Policymakers don't know which infections are most common among populations and cannot make informed decisions about needed treatments or vaccines.This is a major problem across Africa and a new report shows just how complex the problem is.The Mapping AMR and Antimicrobial use Partnership (MAAP), which included the One Health Trust as well as the African Society for Laboratory Medicine; Africa CDC; the East, Central, and Southern Africa Health Community; Innovative Support to Emergencies, Diseases, and Disasters, a nonprofit focused on technology and communication;  the clinical research group IQVIA; and the West African Health Organization, collected data from laboratories from 14 countries in Africa (Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Eswatini, Malawi, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe). “The study revealed significant gaps in bacteriology testing capacities,” the group, whose work was paid for by the UK government's Fleming Fund, wrote in PLoS Medicine.It's the biggest survey yet of testing for antimicrobial resistance – AMR or drug resistance – in Africa.Among the gaps: too little testing overall, a lack of laboratory capacities, and poor coordination and analysis of records. Many records were kept only on paper, which made them almost impossible to access.None of this surprises Dr. Sabiha Essack, South African Research Chair in Antibiotic Resistance and One Health and Professor in Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. In an ideal world, she says, a doctor, nurse or other professional should see a patient, test them to see what specific microbe is causing an infection, check to see which drugs will successfully fight that germ, and then treat the patient accordingly.Cheap point-of-care tests should be available everywhere and the results of those tests should be entered into systems that officials can use to make policy decisions, she says. Listen as she tells One World, One Health host Maggie Fox other ways to improve our knowledge about the drug-resistant infections that lurk out there. Want to know more? You can find One World, One Health episodes on drug-resistant infections in cancer patients; superbugs and microplastics; the personal toll of antibiotic resistance; one woman's antibiotic resistance nightmare; how to prevent drug resistance, and more.

Published September 11, 2025 In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, and William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., CEO and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, discuss troublesome organisms making headlines. Together, they explore:Vibrio vulnificus (01:09): How people get this “flesh-eating” bacteria, how it affects patients, and a recent case that brought it into the spotlight.Staying safe (03:44): Discover when to seek medical attention and how knowledge can protect you as Vibrio vulnificus bacterium becomes more prevalent. New World screwworm (06:50): How this parasitic infection damages human tissue, how it was previously eradicated, and why it's making the news again. ABCs of protection (12:16): A simple reminder to avoid exposure, use bug spray, and wear protective clothing to shield against hazardous organisms.Laboratory as first line of defense (13:34): Laboratorians have a critical role in identification and monitoring broader trends when these types of cases arise. ResourcesA-Zs for prevention and exposure risks

Cherisse Marcou, Ph.D., and Kristen Rasmussen, M.S., CGC, explain how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' WESPR whole exome sequencing reflex test provides cost-effective diagnosis of complex genetic conditions. Using samples and data from previous targeted gene panels, WESPR's wider net can identify undetected genetic variants.(00:32) Would each of you share a little bit about yourselves and your background? (01:42)Could you provide us with an overview of the whole exome reflexing panel? (02:53) Is this different from our whole exome sequencing panel and our whole exome reanalysis panel? (04:00) Tell us more about who benefits from this test. (06:17) What is the clinical utility of this testing? (08:07)Would you help providers understand how to go about ordering? (11:23)Could you tell us more about the types of variants identified by this test? (13:39)Based on those performance characteristics, how does our test match up to other exome tests available in the market? (14:30)Are there any other unique features you would like to highlight? (15:57)What is the turnaround time for the reflex panel? (16:14)Can the results from the WESPR test be reanalyzed in the future as new genetic knowledge emerges? (16:56)How are variants reported, especially variants of uncertain significance? And does the report include recommendations? (19:31)Would you summarize the benefits of the WESPR at Mayo Clinic Laboratories?

Published August 28, 2025 In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, and Matthew Binnicker, Ph.D., a microbiologist and virologist and chief scientific officer of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, discuss recent developments in viral infections. Together, they explore:Shope papilloma virus in rabbits (01:05): Unusual growths raise concern, though the virus poses minimal risk to humans and has actually benefitted research for other papilloma viruses. Chikungunya virus (07:07): What it is, how it spreads, who is at risk, and best practices for testing. Back-to-school viral trends (12:19): Common viruses that circulate during the school season, tips for keeping kids safe, and guidance for physicians on when to test. The laboratorian's role (18:27): How laboratory professionals contribute to managing viral infections within hospital systems and the broader community.ResourcesForbes article: Is the ‘zombie rabbits' virus a threat to humans?Mosquito-borne disease testing overviewMosquito-borne testing algorithms and interpretationsSearch our test catalog for more on testing for viral infections

The Trump administration's crackdown on universities across the country for alleged antisemitism has made its way from the East Coast to the West Coast. Earlier this month, the administration demanded the University of California Los Angeles pay $1-billion to the federal government to resolve what it's calling civil rights violations. That was on top of more than half a billion dollars in cuts to federal research funding from the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, and other federal sources. But, a federal judge on Friday said the cuts to UCLA's funding violated a previous order and ruled some of the funding must be restored. To talk more about the impact the funding cuts have had, we spoke with Dr. Aradhna Tripati, a professor of climate science and geochemistry at UCLA. Joining her in the conversation is Monique Trinh, a program Manager in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine.And in the headlines: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House, Secretary of State Marco Rubio defends the department's decision to halt visitor visas for people from Gaza, and more National Guard troops are headed to DC at the behest of Trump.Show Notes:Call Congress – 202-224-3121Check out Save Our Science – https://sites.google.com/view/saveourscienceinitiative/home?authuser=0Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8What A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday

Published August 14, 2025 In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, and William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., CEO and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, discuss recent news about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in healthcare. Together, they explore:Applications of AI tools in clinical diagnostics to identify dementia, cardiovascular conditions, and parasites.Ethical considerations, including global disparities in access to AI tools and environmental impacts.ResourcesUse of artificial intelligence and digital slide scanning for detection of intestinal protozoa in trichrome-stained stool specimensMayo Clinic's AI tool identifies 9 dementia types, including Alzheimer's, with one scanAI computing power is splitting the world into haves and have-nots - The New York Times

With Alex's departure to new pastures, which include things like being the incoming President of ASM, we now have a new JCM Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Romney Humphries! Dr. Humphries is currently Director of the Division of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Director of the Microbiology Laboratory at Vanderbilt University, as well as a Professor of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology. She is an absolute powerhouse in the AST world as we all know, and as of this month, is the new Editor in Chief of JCM. In this episode, we find out Dr. Humphries's vision and new ideas for the Journal and where she'd like to see JCM go over the next few years. Watch this episode: https://youtu.be/xkyUb6zE9X4 Guests: Romney Humphries, Ph.D., D(ABMM), M(ASCP) This episode of Editors in Conversation is brought to you by the Journal of Clinical Microbiology and hosted by JCM Editor in Chief, Alex McAdam and Dr. Elli Theel. JCM is available at https://jcm.asm.org and on https://twitter.com/JClinMicro. Visit journals.asm.org/journal/jcm to read articles and/or submit a manuscript. Follow JCM on Twitter/

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, is joined by Elitza Theel, Ph.D., director of the Infectious Diseases Serology Laboratory at Mayo Clinic, for a timely discussion on tick-borne diseases. Topics covered include:Observations from this year's tick season as we approach the end of July — a peak month for tick-borne disease transmission — along with trends in reported tick-borne pathogens over the past two decades.Algorithms developed by Mayo Clinic to guide clinicians in selecting the right tests for tick-borne and mosquito-borne diseases. The emergence of rare and esoteric infections and the challenges posed by vectors that carry and transmit multiple pathogens in a single bite.Shotgun metagenomics' growing role in the diagnosis of vector-borne infections.More resources Read "Update on North American tick-borne diseases and how to diagnose them" in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology for more insights from Drs. Pritt and Theel. You can also explore tools and information from Mayo Clinic Laboratories, including region-specific details, algorithms, prevention tools, and more. 

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, and William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., CEO and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, discuss summertime illnesses and key insights from a recent diagnostic investment event. Together, they explore:Common summertime illnesses, along with tips for prevention. How investment in diagnostic tools influences innovation in the laboratory.The potential impact of growing interest in AI investments. The investment interest in liquid biopsy and its potential implications for clinical decision-making.How AI development may accelerate adoption of mass spectrometry, proteomics, and similar advancements in clinical laboratories. 

Linda Hasadsri, M.D., Ph.D., and Huong Cabral, M.S., CGC, explain how Mayo Clinic Laboratories' expanded test panel captures rarer as well as more common genetic causes of hereditary pancreatitis. That information is key to managing patients' enhanced risk for pancreatic cancer.Speaker 4: (00:32) Could you both please tell us a little bit about yourself and your background? Speaker 4: (02:23) Could you please give the audience a brief overview of this assay?  Speaker 4: (03:53) Which patients should have this test, and when should it be performed? Speaker 4: (04:49) What alternative testing options are available, and how do these compare to the new, expanded panel that we're going to be offering? Speaker 4: (08:20)How are the results used in patient care?

In this episode of “Answers From the Lab,” host Bobbi Pritt, M.D., chair of the Division of Clinical Microbiology at Mayo Clinic, and William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., CEO and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, share insights from industry news and recent conferences, including PlatforMed. They explore:The significant interest in diagnostics for the advancement of cancer care.The Joint Commission's collaboration with the Coalition for Health AI to establish guidelines for the responsible use of artificial intelligence. The growing understanding that platforms offer an opportunity to expand access and make knowledge more accessible as platform-driven solutions become a reality.The role of laboratorians in guiding the ethical and effective use of data and emerging technologies — and what this means for educating future healthcare professionals.The critical importance of values and ethics in deploying new tools.