Wonderful World of Weirdobacters!

 

Through the use of clinical cases the presenter will describe weird and extraordinary microorganisms (so-called “Weirdobacters” or “Extraordinaribacters”) that are not often encountered in the clinical microbiology laboratory, and as such they can be overlooked despite their clinical importance. Their clinical presentation, key microbiologic characteristics, and treatment will be discussed. Ultimately, the presenter hopes attendees will be even more enthused about all things clinical microbiology at the completion of the talk.

Originally published on February 7, 2024

Lecture Presenter

Lars F. Westblade, PhD, D(ABMM)

Lars F. Westblade, PhD, D(ABMM)

Associate Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine; Associate Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine in Medicine (Infectious Diseases); Director, Clinical Microbiology
Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University

Dr. Lars Westblade is an associate professor with a primary appointment in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and a secondary appointment in the Department of Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine. He is the director of the Clinical Microbiology Services at New York-Presbyterian(NYP)/Lower Manhattan Hospital and NYP/Weill Cornell Medical Center. Dr. Westblade did his undergraduate and postgraduate training in biochemistry at the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom, followed by postgraduate training in molecular biophysics at Rockefeller University in the United States. He completed a fellowship in Medical and Public Health Laboratory Microbiology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. He divides his time between clinical and administrative service and his translational research laboratory, which is primarily focused on understanding antimicrobial resistance in the setting of the immunosuppressed host, assessing and developing infectious diseases diagnostics, and outcomes studies. His laboratory has received funding from federal, foundation, and industry sources.

Objectives

After this presentation, participants will be able to:

  • Describe the clinical significance and presentation of microorganisms not commonly encountered or recognized in the clinical microbiology laboratory
  • List these not commonly encountered or recognized microorganisms' diagnostic features
  • Discuss the treatment for these not commonly encountered or recognized microorganisms

Sponsored by:

University of Utah School of Medicine, Department of Pathology, and ARUP Laboratories