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Join clinical microbiology laboratory directors in discussing recent journal articles in clinical microbiology. Each month, a group of presenters will discuss 1-2 articles in depth. Journal clubs are held every second Tuesday of the month at 2 p.m. ET.

This activity is free to º£½ÇÖ±²¥ members.

Cryptococcal Antigen Testing: How Far Have We Come?—July 14, 2026

Learning Objectives

1. Consider the changing landscape of cryptococcal disease.
2. Describe challenges in interpreting the significance of low serum cryptococcal antigen titers.
3. Describe the potential utility of testing bronchoalveolar lavage fluid for cryptococcal antigen.

Article

• Dizon E, Seo W, et al. 2020. . J Clin Microbiol, 58:10.1128/jcm.01648-19.
• Chen X, Wang Z, et al. 2026. . Microbiol Spectr, 14:e01083-25.

Presenters

• Mackenzie Collins, Ph.D., MLS(ASCP), º£½ÇÖ±²¥ CPEP Medical and Public Health Microbiology Fellow, University of California, Los Angeles.
• Tomas Bermudez, Ph.D.,  º£½ÇÖ±²¥ CPEP Medical and Public Health Microbiology Fellow, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Moderator

• June Chan, Ph.D., D(ABMM), M(ASCP)CM, Assistant Attending, Clinical Microbiology Service, Assistant Member, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

Discussion Panel

• John Bennett, M.D., Senior Investigator, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
• JR Caldera, Ph.D., D(ABMM), MLS(ASCP)CM, Associate Science Director, Infectious Disease, Quest Diagnostics.
• Violeta Chávez, Ph.D., D(ABMM), Associate Director of Microbiology, Memorial Hermann Hospital, Director of Microbiology, Harris Health LBJ Hospital, Associate Professor, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston.

Continuing Education (CE) Credit

Please note that CEs are no longer offered for this program.

Want to Present or Join the Discussion?

º£½ÇÖ±²¥ is looking for experts in the clinical laboratory to present and discuss relevant journal articles for its Clinical Microbiology Virtual Journal Club.

Commitment

• 1 session commitment (1 hour).
• 2-5 hours per session.

Responsibilities and Expectations

• Presenter:
  • Coordinate with the session coordinator to find a recent journal article on clinical microbiology (preferably open access or º£½ÇÖ±²¥).
  • Create a 15-minute (max) presentation on the confirmed article.
  • Present during the live session held on the second Tuesday of the month.
• Discussion Panelist:
  • Read the 2 articles confirmed for the session you are assigned.
  • Participate in the live discussion on the second Tuesday of the month.

Eligibility

• º£½ÇÖ±²¥ membership required.
• Preferred: A subject-matter expert in a clinical or public health lab, a laboratory director or a laboratory fellow.

Archives

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