ID4U - Infectious Disease Podcasts for Users of the CMES program

Jessica Pelletier
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  • MEDICINE

Techies Without Borders (TWB) is a non-profit organization that aims to deliver high-quality CME to low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) where there are significant cost and internet access barriers for clinicians to stay up-to-date. Our program is currently established in 19 countries, serving 13,000 doctors who care for more than 20+ million patients. Our primary content delivery method is via the Continuing Medical Education Solutions (CMES) and CMES-Pi, a small computer at each site that automatically downloads content from our cloud-based server each month. The content includes podcasts and written summaries from Emergency Medicine Reviews and Perspectives (EM:RAP-GO), emDocs.net, Don’t Forget the Bubbles, and the World Health Organization (WHO), Life in the Fast Lane, and EM Cases. There is also point-of-care ultrasound content donated by Alfred Health and emergency medical services (EMS) content donated by the MCHD Paramedic Podcast. The CME material is geared toward EM, but all specialties will find useful content. New content for other specialists is being added. We are also able to upload local CME materials. The content from the Pi can be transferred to an app so that users can access material remotely without the need for the internet. You can learn more about our initiatives here: https://cmesworld.org/ https://techieswithoutborders.us/ One resounding theme of user feedback that there is not enough ID content on our server relevant to LMIC. IDs are the most common causes of death in these parts of the world. There is also a disparity in publication and scholarship among authors in the “global North” compared with the “global South.” In response to these perceived needs, we have developed an ID podcast mini series consisting of interviews with CMES participants in areas of their expertise. These podcasts are uploaded to the CMES audience before being made available to the pubvlic. The dual purpose of this podcast is to tailor the content on the CMES server to the needs of our users and to provide digital scholarship opportunities for our partners in the global South. Please note that generative AI is used to assist in formulating podcast scripts. The authors take full responsibility for the content of this podcast series.

  1. JAN 19

    ID4U Episode 22 Chromoblastomycosis

    Dr. Jessica Pelletier and Dr. Mulungi Jonathan discuss the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic workup, management, and prevention of chromoblastomycosis. Take-Home Points: CBM is a NTD that disproportionately impacts males who work outdoors in tropical climates.Infection occurs via direct innoculation, and the disease progression is slow.Early intervention is critical for preventing morbidity, and usually involves surgical removal of the lesions when they are small. Larger lesions generally require a combination of prolonged antifungals and cryotherapy.Prevention of serious disease involves keeping covered when working outdoors in warm climates, maintaining good hygiene, and early presentation to care. You can view the full show notes and references here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jcLOOniP5LvClXT7HW1ozs-SiEah2k5SXUf0Z_eAhys/edit?usp=sharing Image attribution: generated with Adobe Firefly Episode sound attributions: Counting to 20: Creative Commons 0: http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/More jazz guitar: more Jazz guitar.wav by Sub-d: https://freesound.org/s/49658/ -- License: Creative Commons 0Ragtime Logo Standard Version: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/ragtime-logo-standard-version-116100/Audience laughing by Soundeffects4You -- https://freesound.org/s/231258/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

    17 min

  2. 12/23/2025

    ID4U Episode 21 Schistosomiasis

    Dr. Jessica Pelletier, Dr. Daniela Fusco, and Dr. Rivonirina Andry Rakotoarivelo discuss the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic workup, management, and prevention of schistosomiasis. Take-Home Points: Schistosomiasis is a parasitic infection with trematode worms that can cause chronic intestinal or genitourinary disease if untreatedThe gold standard diagnostic test is direct visualization of the parasites in stool or urine using special microscopy methods. A urine RDT exists but isn’t perfect, and other methods also have their drawbacksPrevention involves avoiding exposure to potentially contaminated freshwater, snail vector control, and PC with PZQMorbidity management remains a big problem for endemic countries that are advancing health services in order to mitigate the consequences of the disease You can view the full show notes and references here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1B7nDeqlCR02GbkOn_J5IdIP-HlnAEFjOk6juNX_jLJQ/edit?usp=sharing Image attribution: generated with Adobe Firefly Episode sound attributions: Counting to 20: Creative Commons 0: http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/More jazz guitar: more Jazz guitar.wav by Sub-d: https://freesound.org/s/49658/ -- License: Creative Commons 0Ragtime Logo Standard Version: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/ragtime-logo-standard-version-116100/Audience laughing by Soundeffects4You -- https://freesound.org/s/231258/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

    25 min

  3. 12/01/2025

    ID4U Episode 20 Chikungunya

    Dr. Jessica Pelletier, John George Johnson, Dr. Akan Otu, Dr. Moses Kitakule, and Dr. Bri Bennett discuss the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic workup, management, and prevention of chikungunya virus disease. Take-Home Points: CHIKF is an alphavirus with low mortality but HIGH morbidity, often leading to chronic, debilitating arthritis.Severe disease primarily affects high-risk subgroups, such as those at the extremes of age and with chronic comorbid diseases.Dengue can present similarly in the initial phases and must be ruled out in order to guide appropriate management.Paracetamol is a safe option until dengue is excluded; at that point, it is appropriate to transition to NSAIDs.Laboratory diagnostics are essential and depend on the timing of illness.Prevention involves aggressive vector control, preventing mosquito bites, and vaccination in at-risk populations.You can view the full show notes and references here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Jayl1ihGGNGek0brDrynE_cET11DLfIl0oBxodQ3tcc/edit?usp=sharing Image attribution: generated with Adobe Firefly Episode sound attributions: Counting to 20: Creative Commons 0: http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/More jazz guitar: more Jazz guitar.wav by Sub-d: https://freesound.org/s/49658/ -- License: Creative Commons 0Ragtime Logo Standard Version: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/ragtime-logo-standard-version-116100/Ambulance_Traffic_Mic on top of car.WAV by deleted_user_6718832 -- https://freesound.org/s/365254/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

    23 min

  4. 10/30/2025

    ID4U Episode 19 Loiasis ("African Eye Worm")

    Dr. Kakande Reagan, Dr. Bri Bennett, and Dr. Jessica Pelletier discuss the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic workup, management, and prevention of loiasis. Take-Home Points: Loa loa is a multi-system parasitic disease with potentially serious complications if untreated.Diagnosis requires diurnal blood smears or thick-drop methods, and Giemsa or H&E staining is necessary to diagnose the worms appropriately.Microfilarial load dictates the treatment strategy.There is a risk of life-threatening encephalopathy not only with ivermectin, but also with DEC, which is the first-line therapy for loiasis.Prevention involves avoiding Chrysops fly bites.Loiasis complicates MDA in areas with co-endemicity for onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis. Caution should be used with drug selection in co-endemic areas. You can view the full show notes and references here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FFoxvW_quKvmRS2Rph09-azch8jb61aemniR8AOX8Ps/edit?usp=sharing Image attribution: Magne Flåten, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons Episode sound attributions: Counting to 20: Creative Commons 0: http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/More jazz guitar: more Jazz guitar.wav by Sub-d: https://freesound.org/s/49658/ -- License: Creative Commons 0Ragtime Logo Standard Version: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/ragtime-logo-standard-version-116100/Bike bell 10.flac by cdrk -- https://freesound.org/s/495492/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

    23 min

  5. 09/26/2025

    ID4U Episode 18 Dengue ("Break Bone Fever")

    Dr. Stuart Allen, Dr. Jessica Pelletier, and Dr. Akan Otu discuss the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic workup, management, and prevention of dengue. Take-Home Points: Dengue is an arboviral disease transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquitoIt is an NTD with a huge global burden of diseaseThe majority of cases are self-limiting, but severe dengue infections can cause massive hemorrhage, shock, multiorgan failure, and deathThere is no cure for dengue; supportive care for critically ill patients involves IV fluid resuscitation, blood product transfusion for those with massive bleeding, vasopressors for shock that is not responsive to fluid or blood product administration, and management of organ failure sequelaeThere is only 1 vaccine for dengue prevention - Qdenga® (TAK-003) - and it is only recommended in children 6-16 years right nowOther vaccines are under developmentPreventing mosquito bites is key for disease prevention You can view the full show notes and references here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DpCmbj3TMztOuzdusmHZ4rqu9PaMkOX_m6wWBhgfWjg/edit?usp=sharing Episode art attribution: Adobe Firefly Episode sound attributions: Counting to 20: Creative Commons 0: http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/More jazz guitar: more Jazz guitar.wav by Sub-d: https://freesound.org/s/49658/ -- License: Creative Commons 0Ragtime Logo Standard Version: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/ragtime-logo-standard-version-116100/Ambulance_Traffic_Mic on top of car.WAV by deleted_user_6718832 -- https://freesound.org/s/365254/ -- License: Creative Commons 0Coos Baby 3 Various Ha AC032101 by gumballworld -- https://freesound.org/s/398553/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0Baby Whines Cries Huf PE145601 by gumballworld -- https://freesound.org/s/398548/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0dark emotions.wav by michellelindemann1 -- https://freesound.org/s/521597/ -- License: Attribution 4.0shocking 0N_31mi by Setuniman -- https://freesound.org/s/155349/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0out-of-breath_woman_slow.wav by pekena_larva -- https://freesound.org/s/667286/ -- License: Attribution 4.0Tape Rewind #1 by Hajisounds: https://freesound.org/s/679970/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

    33 min
  6. ID4U Episode 17 Lymphatic Filariasis

    08/17/2025

    ID4U Episode 17 Lymphatic Filariasis

    Dr. Jessica Pelletier, John George Johnson, and Dr. Sheikh Omar Bittaye discuss the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic workup, management, and prevention of lymphatic filariasis (LF). Take-Home Points: LF is the second most common mosquito-borne illness after malaria.This disease involves repeated cycles of infection and inflammation, much like trachoma, and can cause severe morbidity and social isolation.Treatment is with anti-parasitic agents and must be tailored regionally based on which other parasites are co-endemic. Avoid ivermectin where loa loa is prevalent.At least 3 weeks of DEC is needed to treat tropical pulmonary eosinophilia from LF.MDA and avoiding mosquito bites are critical for interrupting transmission and preventing ongoing infections.You can view the full show notes and references here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Pf4RBMHfHW5GHl2WYK_8PrTl-GOBbz4va_vSnJCmUEM/edit?usp=sharing Episode art attribution: By Photo Credit:Content Providers: CDC/ - This media comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Public Health Image Library (PHIL), with identification number #373.Note: Not all PHIL images are public domain; be sure to check copyright status and credit authors and content providers.العربية | Deutsch | English | македонски | slovenščina | +/−, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=223538 Episode sound attributions: Counting to 20: Creative Commons 0: http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/More jazz guitar: more Jazz guitar.wav by Sub-d: https://freesound.org/s/49658/ -- License: Creative Commons 0Ragtime Logo Standard Version: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/ragtime-logo-standard-version-116100/Tape Rewind #1 by Hajisounds: https://freesound.org/s/679970/ -- License: Creative Commons 0Vitamins in a jar: https://tinyurl.com/49swy2zw

    24 min

  7. 07/14/2025

    ID4U Episode 16 Onchocerciasis

    Dr. Jessica Pelletier, Dr. Kakande Reagan, and Dr. Bri Bennett discuss the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic workup, management, and prevention of onchocerciasis. Take-Home Points: Onchocerciasis is the second leading cause of blindness worldwideTransmission occurs via blackfly bitesClinical manifestations are typically dermatologic followed by ocularDiagnosis ideally occurs via PCR of skin snips, or RDT where this is availableTreatment is either with ivermectin or doxycycline (which kills the Wolbachia symbiont)Prevention on a large scale involves ivermectin MDA, traps, and vegetation clearing, but individuals living in endemic areas need to avoid blackfly bites at all costsYou can view the full show notes and references here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WPhP2hvVHlQClwN6K3lZ1BPM4fjeX2XdIFWcTI_gnV4/edit?usp=sharing Episode art attribution: image generated using Adobe Firefly and an image of Simulium blackfly By xpda - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=67748232 Episode sound attributions: 2 Males Yelling by djlarson3 -- https://freesound.org/s/360678/ -- License: Creative Commons 0DogBarks01.wav by nickyg11p -- https://freesound.org/s/390805/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

    19 min

  8. 06/28/2025

    ID4U Episode 15 Trachoma

    Dr. Jessica Pelletier and Dr. Tracy Walczynski discuss the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic workup, management, and prevention of trachoma. Take-Home Points: Trachoma is the most common infectious cause of blindness worldwideChlamydia trachomatis is spread via direct contact, and its spread is propagated in resource-limited settings where there is poor access to good sanitation and personal hygieneThis is a chronic condition involving cycles of infection and scarring that eventually lead to blindnessSAFE - Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness, and Environmental improvement - are the cornerstones of management You can view the full show notes and references here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vYMyw76A9oRW-hZtCmqgH_SYEghtWY7GxGKqjCzqHvo/edit?usp=sharing Episode art attribution: image generated using Adobe Firefly Episode sound attribution: HUGE EXPLOSION by SamsterBirdies -- https://freesound.org/s/733120/ -- License: Creative Commons 0huge explosion in distance.wav by SuperPhat -- https://freesound.org/s/417691/ -- License: Creative Commons 0Realistic Gun-Fire by Mr_KeybOred -- https://freesound.org/s/414023/ -- License: Creative Commons 0Atomic Bomb by Hard3eat -- https://freesound.org/s/379352/ -- License: Creative Commons 0Huge Explosion by unfa -- https://freesound.org/s/259300/ -- License: Creative Commons 0240615-12_Applause_indoor by kevp888 -- https://freesound.org/s/762606/ -- License: Attribution 4.0More jazz guitar: more Jazz guitar.wav by Sub-d: https://freesound.org/s/49658/ -- License: Creative Commons 0Ragtime Logo Standard Version: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/ragtime-logo-standard-version-116100/

    14 min
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About

Techies Without Borders (TWB) is a non-profit organization that aims to deliver high-quality CME to low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) where there are significant cost and internet access barriers for clinicians to stay up-to-date. Our program is currently established in 19 countries, serving 13,000 doctors who care for more than 20+ million patients. Our primary content delivery method is via the Continuing Medical Education Solutions (CMES) and CMES-Pi, a small computer at each site that automatically downloads content from our cloud-based server each month. The content includes podcasts and written summaries from Emergency Medicine Reviews and Perspectives (EM:RAP-GO), emDocs.net, Don’t Forget the Bubbles, and the World Health Organization (WHO), Life in the Fast Lane, and EM Cases. There is also point-of-care ultrasound content donated by Alfred Health and emergency medical services (EMS) content donated by the MCHD Paramedic Podcast. The CME material is geared toward EM, but all specialties will find useful content. New content for other specialists is being added. We are also able to upload local CME materials. The content from the Pi can be transferred to an app so that users can access material remotely without the need for the internet. You can learn more about our initiatives here: https://cmesworld.org/ https://techieswithoutborders.us/ One resounding theme of user feedback that there is not enough ID content on our server relevant to LMIC. IDs are the most common causes of death in these parts of the world. There is also a disparity in publication and scholarship among authors in the “global North” compared with the “global South.” In response to these perceived needs, we have developed an ID podcast mini series consisting of interviews with CMES participants in areas of their expertise. These podcasts are uploaded to the CMES audience before being made available to the pubvlic. The dual purpose of this podcast is to tailor the content on the CMES server to the needs of our users and to provide digital scholarship opportunities for our partners in the global South. Please note that generative AI is used to assist in formulating podcast scripts. The authors take full responsibility for the content of this podcast series.

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