Latest Podcasts

Basic Principles for Antiretroviral Therapy for HIV

By Thomas Burkhead, MD

January 12th, 2021

Dr. Burkhead, infectious diseases fellow at the University of South Florida, covers HIV History, the development of HIV antiviral therapy, and current treatment strategies in this comprehensive update. Dr. Burkhead begins by reviewing the different classes of antiretrovirals. He then traces the chronological history of antiretroviral development, from the initial trials of AZT through the introduction of other NRTIs, Protease inhibitors, NNRTIs, and the Integrase inhibitors. Next, Dr. Burkhead discusses antiretroviral therapy in special situations, such as in those who are pregnant, have chronic kidney disease, or cardiac disease. Important antiretroviral mutations are also discussed. Lastly, Dr. Burkhead closes the talk by discussing future directions for antiretroviral therapy.

Syphilis: The Return of Corky the Killer

By John Toney, MD, FIDSA

January 4th, 2021

Dr. John Toney, Professor of Medicine at the James A Haley Veterans Hospital, reviews information about one of humanity’s greatest and most enduring scourges. Professor Toney begins by recalling the history of syphilis. He next relates the current epidemiology of syphilis in the US. The pathophysiology of syphilis is next discussed, as well as the manifestations of primary, secondary, and tertiary syphilis. The clinical manifestations of neurosyphilis are also reviewed. Lastly the association between syphilis and HIV is presented and therapy for syphilis is briefly covered.

Vaccinations During the COVID-19 Pandemic

By Shylah Moore-Pardo, MD

November 9th, 2020

Dr. Pardo, Infectious Diseases Physician and Ambulatory Care Provider at the James A Haley Veterans Hospital, discusses how to manage routine adult vaccinations during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. She first discusses the transmission of Coronavirus in vaccination settings and how to determine whether it is safe for patients to come in for vaccinations. She next discusses when the deferring of vaccination visits is appropriate, such as in those persons with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 disease. As we approach the winter season, Dr. Pardo shares information about the importance of influenza vaccination in all adult patients. Lastly, Dr. Pardo discusses catch up strategies for vaccination in pandemic delayed patients as well as reference sources for the clinician to access up to date vaccination recommendations.

Vaccine Hesitancy

By Jaela Fredenrich, PharmD

October 27th, 2020

Dr. Fredenrich discusses the origins and consequences of the vaccine hesitancy movement in this informative podcast. She begins by tracing back recent anti-vaccine sentiment to the now retracted 1998 Lancet article published by Dr. Andrew Wakefield and its initial origins to 19th Century London. She relates the decades-long success story of vaccines in reducing childhood and adult morbidity from vaccine preventable diseases such as measles, chicken pox, and polio. She identifies some of the factors that cause vaccine hesitancy among new parents. She then highlights some of the relevant laws relating to vaccine exemptions across the U.S. Next, Dr. Fredenrich mentions some of the falsely maligned components of vaccines that are commonly cited as a reason for parent reluctance. She also associates the significance of social media in producing vaccine sentiment among parents and adults. Lastly, she relates how medical providers can use their trusted influence with their patients and their families to help them make the right decisions about vaccines.

COVID-19 Conjunctivitis

By Jarelys Hernandez-Jimenez, MD

October 14th, 2020

Dr. Hernandez reviews one of the more under-recognized manifestations of COVID-19 infection: conjunctivitis. Originally recorded in May 2020, the talk reviews basic epidemiology about Coronavirus infection and then focuses upon the ocular manifestations. She notes that ACE-2 receptors are extensively noted in eye tissue, including the human retina, retinal pigment, and conjunctiva. She next describes the epidemiology of Coronavirus conjunctivitis. Dr. Hernandez then discusses the potential for transmission of COVID-19 through tears. After reviewing the outcomes and prognosis of Coronavirus eye disease, she closes by discussing a couple of helpful case studies.

Perspectives on the Pandemic: Palpating the Pachyderm

By John T. Sinnott, MD

October 2nd, 2020

Drs. John T Sinnott, Kami Kim, and Seetha Lakshmi, distinguished Infectious Diseases faculty at the University of South Florida, discuss updates to the 2019 Coronavirus pandemic. Dr. Sinnott begins by tracing the beginnings of the pandemic, from its sylvatic origins in bats likely through an intermediary vector (a pangolin) to its first human hosts. Dr. Sinnott follows the pandemic to America, and shares some of the early assessments about the threat of the disease which were unheeded. Next, Dr. Sinnott discusses our current understanding of the pathophysiology of the SARS-2 Coronavirus, including its route of infection in the human host. Dr. Kim next discusses the specifics of Coronavirus testing, including the proper use and interpretation of molecular and antibody-based tests. Dr. Lakshmi then discusses current Coronavirus-targeted therapies, including convalescent plasma, remdesivir, dexamethasone, and monoclonal antibody-based treatments. Dr. Sinnott closes by discussing post-COVID syndromes and how the pandemic will likely end.

Bacterial Toxinology

By Ju Hee Katzman

October 1st, 2020

Dr. Katzman reviews the importance of toxins in the manifestation of bacterial diseases. Bacterial toxins cause injury by producing tissue damage to the host during a bacterial infection. The different mechanisms by which bacterial toxins can produce injury are reviewed, including via intracellular and cell surface targets, membrane damage, superantigens, and involvement of the extracellular matrix. Dr. Katzman next reviews several well-known bacterial toxins, including Staphylococcal and Streptococcal toxins and Pseudomonas exotoxin A. Lastly, toxin therapies, such as toxoids and passive immunization are reviewed.

Infectious Diseases Board Review

By Vivian Vega Rodriguez, MD

September 18th, 2020

Dr. Vivian Vega reviews several interesting Infectious Diseases cases she has managed over the last several years, and includes relavant ID-related pearls about diagnosis and management. From an infectious diseases conference recorded in September 2020.