Our understanding of infectious disease and pathology stems from the 19th century with Robert Koch pioneering research. Dr Koch help to shaped modern microbiology and medicine when he identified the causative agents for anthrax and tuberculosis. Since that time, the number of infectious microorganisms that we know of that cause illness and diseases has increased exponentially. Thanks to modern day techniques, laboratories can test for these agents directly or indirectly and get an answer often within hours.

As such, microbiology is on the verge of a new era. Instead of the principle of one test: one micro-organism, we are moving into the realm where one test can detect hundreds of potential pathogens and antimicrobial resistance genes in a single stool sample. The new test is called Metapanel. This includes 175 gene targets using metagenomics (shotgun gene sequencing) and is able to detect bacteria, viruses, helminths, protozoa, fungi, microsporidia. This information is collated and reported by a pathologist and advice given as to what is the implications of the result. The test is ideally suited for patients with chronic diarrhoea, inflammatory bowel disease and/or inflammatory bowel syndrome.

This is the story of advanced faeces testing and Metapanel

** Please note: General Practitioners in Australia, will be able to claim CPD points after listening to this episode. Full details and registration, coming shortly.

Our special guest:

Dr Michael Wehrhahn is the Director of Molecular Biology and Infectious serology at Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology. Michael has a Master in Public Health, is an Infectious Disease Specialist as well as a Microbiologist and Adjunct Senior Lecturer at the University of Notre Dame.

Dr Wehrhahn is actively involved in research on clinical and laboratory aspects of a range of microorganisms and is a reviewer for a number of journals. Michael has been involved in researching and validating the new Metapanel available through Sonic in conjunction with Microba.

This Medical Life podcast is available on all podcasting services and Spotify. Help support us at https://www.patreon.com/ThisMedicalLife

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In episode 56 of This Medical Life, Dr Travis Brown and Steve Davis delve into the critical topic of iron studies, with a special focus on iron deficiency, under the expert guidance of returning guest, Professor Ken Sikaris.

Iron deficiency’s prevalence is influenced by factors such as age, sex, and ethnicity, noting that women, especially those of childbearing age and pregnant women, are at higher risk. Prof Sikaris addresses the challenges and misconceptions surrounding iron studies, particularly the reliability of various tests like serum iron, transferrin saturation, and ferritin. While ferritin is the most reliable marker for total body iron stores, it can be influenced by factors like inflammation.

Through this episode, we provide This Medical Life provides a comprehensive exploration of iron deficiency, combining historical context, clinical insights, and practical advice, all aimed at improving understanding and management of this prevalent health issue.

Our special guest:

Professor Ken Sikaris is a chemical pathologists and Director of Chemical Pathology at Melbourne Pathology. Professor Sikaris is a NATA-accredited laboratory assessor, Founding Fellow of the RCPA Faculty of Science and a principle examiner in Pathology Informatics. He is a Fellow of the Department of Pathology at the University of Melbourne.

This Medical Life podcast is available on all podcasting services and Spotify

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode we delve into the nuanced world of the Pomegranate Health podcast with our guest, Mic Cavazzini. Pomegranate Health, a creation of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, serves as a platform to explore the multifaceted culture of medicine. It weaves through the clinical intricacies of medicine with episodes that span from the deeply technical aspects of healthcare to broader discussions on skills essential for effective practice and systemic issues within global health.

This episode embarks on a journey through the confused history of opium use, offering a rare focus on historical narratives as a foundation for modern medical discussions. Join us as Mic Cavazzini shares insights from his diverse background in science and journalism, illustrating how the past informs current medical practices and the human factors that influence care. Through this conversation, we aim to shine a light on the complexities of medicine's culture, underscoring the importance of history, philosophy, and the human experience in shaping healthcare today.

Our special guests:

Mic Cavazzini - is a journalist and audio geek passionate about engaging people with ethics, health and the natural world. He produces the Pomegranate Health which is a podcast with the Royal Australasian College of Physicians and won an Australian Podcast Award in 2018. Mic has a background in neuroscience and is associated with the University of Sydney. He has worked as a research scientist at Oxford and ANU where he investigated how brain cells process information and learning. He has also written for The Medical Republic, Australian Doctor, and The Canberra Times.

This Medical Life podcast is available on all podcasting services and Spotify. Help support us at https://www.patreon.com/ThisMedicalLife

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.