Let's Talk Micro

Author: Luis Plaza

Clinical microbiology explained in simple terms, suitable for students and microbiologists alike. We discuss organisms, reactions, infectious diseases, and more. Hosted by Luis Plaza, a Medical Laboratory Scientist and microbiologist, who also shares his experiences in the field.
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Language: en

Genres: Life Sciences, Science

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230: Same Gram Stain, Different Story: Neisseria meningitidis vs gonorrhoeae
Episode 230
Thursday, 23 April, 2026

In this week's episode, we continue our series on gram-negative cocci and take a closer look at two of the most important organisms: Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. On the Gram stain, they may look the same—but clinically, they represent very different scenarios. We walk through colonization, transmission, and key virulence factors, and connect them to the infections they cause—from meningitis and invasive disease to mucosal and disseminated gonococcal infections. We also bring it back to the bench, discussing specimen source, testing approaches like NAAT and culture, and how to think through these organisms in real-world laboratory settings. Looking to stay up to date with the latest clinical microbiology resources? Check out Wiley's ClinMicroNow—bringing trusted ASM Press content into one powerful, searchable platform : 🔗 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/book/10.1002/9781683670438?utm_source=extweb&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=lets_talk_micro_podcast_ptnr&utm_content=mid-roll-ad&utm_term=clinmicronow 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