Microbe Mail

Who knew that the Duke's criteria could be further modified? In this episode, Vin and Ruan explore this update to the criterion and other critical aspects of diagnosing and managing infective endocarditis with the help of skilled cardiologist, Dr Raeesa Bhorat.About our Guest: Dr Raaesah Bhorat is a cardiologist at Sunninghill hospital, working as an interventional fellow under Professor Hellig. She completed her cardiology training at Groote Schuur hospital in 2024; and her interests include structural intervention and research in the application of artificial intelligence to cardiology, particularly the electrocardiogram. She completed her fellowship in internal medicine in 2019 and received her MBChB degree in 2013, cum laudeWE'D LOVE YOUR FEEDBACK ON THIS EPISODE – Visit the Microbe Mail website to sign up for updates Follow on:Instagram: Microbe_MailX/Twitter: @microbemailFacebook: MicrobeMailTiktok: @microbe.mailWatch this episode on our new YouTube channel: Microbe MailE-mail us: [email protected]

In July, Ruan braved the AIDS-related Mycoses workshop held in Cape Town as the lone Microbe messenger. He attended sessions where speakers discussed novel findings in the epidemiology, prevention, diagnosis and therapy for some of the deadliest fungal infections globally. In this episode he and Vin take through some of the brief discussions he had with some of the enlightening researchers. Meet our Guests: Dr Juan Louis Rodriguez Tudela MD, PhDDr Michail Lionakis, M.D., Sc.D.Dr Felix Bongomin, M.D., MScProf Alessandro Pasqualotto, Professor of Infectious Diseases, with special interest in medical mycology and Fellow of the European Confederation of Medical Mycology. Dr Trevor Mnguni, MBChB, FCP(SA), Cert Pulm(SA)Prof Joseph Jarvis, Consultant Physician and Epidemiologist at Botswana-UPenn Partnership and Honorary Senior Lecturer, LSHTMWE'D LOVE YOUR FEEDBACK ON THIS EPISODE – Visit the Microbe Mail website to sign up for updates Follow on:Instagram: Microbe_MailX/Twitter: @microbemailFacebook: MicrobeMailTiktok: @microbe.mailWatch this episode on our new YouTube channel: Microbe MailE-mail us: [email protected]

This week, we sit down with author, Dr Alastair McAlpine, to discuss his compelling book. In this thought provoking reflection, he shares insights into the unique challenges faced by doctors working in the public sector in South Africa. From systematic shortcomings to personal struggles, he takes us back to what inspired it all.About our Guest: Dr Alastair McAlpine is a paediatric infectious diseases physician who was born and raised in Johannesburg. His passions include preventing infections in kids, listening to noisy bands and encouraging his colleagues to prescribe ice cream more frequently. His new book Prescription: Ice Cream – A Doctor’s Journey to Discover What Matters is his engaging memoir about the highs and lows of working as a medical doctor in South Africa and how, with a little help from metal music and ice cream, he was able to struggle on, find meaning in the chaos and inspire others.WE'D LOVE YOUR FEEDBACK ON THIS EPISODE – Visit the Microbe Mail website to sign up for updates Follow on:Instagram: Microbe_MailX/Twitter: @microbemailFacebook: MicrobeMailTiktok: @microbe.mailWatch this episode on our new YouTube channel: Microbe MailE-mail us: [email protected]

Microbe mail turns 3 on the 14th of September, and we wanted to keep things light for this time of the year. In this special episode we flip the script, literally, and swop our usual expert interviews for some team banter as Esther grills the team over a bunsen burner. We promise it’s more fun than a Petri dish!WE'D LOVE YOUR FEEDBACK ON THIS EPISODE – Visit the Microbe Mail website to sign up for updates Follow on:Instagram: Microbe_MailX/Twitter: @microbemailFacebook: MicrobeMailTiktok: @microbe.mailWatch this episode on our new YouTube channel: Microbe MailE-mail us: [email protected]