National STD Curriculum Podcast
Podcast Editor
Keep Current on STD and STI Diagnosis, Management and Prevention
This podcast series explores innovative and significant STD and STI issues and discusses the clinical implications through Conference Summaries, Expert Interviews, Hot Topics, and Literature Reviews.
August 26, 2025
Expert Interviews
HPV & Anal Cancer Screening
33 min 44 sec
Dr. Helen Stankiewicz Karita, Associate Professor at UCSF and a national expert on human papillomavirus (HPV)-related diseases in the anal canal, and National STD Curriculum Podcast Editor Dr. Meena Ramchandani discuss screening tools for anal dysplasia and anal cancer.
July 15, 2025
Expert Interviews
Antimicrobial Resistance in Neisseria Gonorrhoeae: Surveillance Programs
28 min 41 sec
Microbiologist and Associate Professor at the University of Washington Dr. Olusegun Soge reviews four U.S. based surveillance programs: GISP, eGISP, SURGG, and CARGOS – the umbrella program rolled out in August 2024. Dr. Soge and National STD Curriculum Podcast Host Dr. Meena Ramchandani also discuss a vaccine and another STI pathogen developing resistance.
June 24, 2025
Expert Interviews
Antimicrobial Resistance in Neisseria Gonorrhoeae: Key Microbiologic Factors
20 min 46 sec
Microbiologist and Associate Professor at the University of Washington Dr. Olusegun Soge reviews six different ways that the microbiology of Neisseria gonorrhoeae contributes to its antimicrobrial resistance. Dr. Soge and National STD Curriculum Podcast Host Dr. Meena Ramchandani then explore how current overuse and misuse of antibiotics in the STI field might be part of the problem.
June 3, 2025
Expert Interviews
Antimicrobial Resistance in Neisseria Gonorrhoeae: Past, Present, and Future
21 min 42 sec
CDC and the World Health Organization consider Neisseria gonorrhoeae an urgent antibiotic-resistant threat because it continuously develops resistance. Microbiologist and Associate Professor at the University of Washington Dr. Olusegun Soge provides a historical overview of past efforts, an update on the current situation, why global surveillance is so important, and a potential new treatment for uncomplicated gonorrhea.
May 6, 2025
Hot Topic
STI Surveillance, 2023: Key Trends
10 min 1 sec
This episode reviews syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia trends identified in the Sexually Transmitted Infections Surveillance, 2023. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released the report in November 2024.
April 14, 2025
Expert Interviews
HPV Vaccines: Results & Impact of Australia's National Immunization Program
37 min 14 sec
Dr. Eric Chow, STI epidemiologist and biostatistician based at the Melbourne Sexual Health Center in Australia, reviews data from the school-based HPV National Immunization Program and the impact on the prevalence of different HPV serotypes, genital warts, and HPV-related cancers.
February 21, 2025
Conference Summaries
IDWeek 2024: Treatment and Prevention of Congenital Syphilis and Early Syphilis
22 min 0 sec
This episode reviews four IDWeek 2024 oral abstracts about congenital syphilis, syphilis in pregnancy, the effectiveness of doxy-PEP, and the use of oral cefixime for early treatment.
January 24, 2025
Expert Interviews
Cellular Immune Responses to Syphilis: New Research
32 min 37 sec
Dr. Tara Reid from the University of Washington Division of Allergy & Infectious Diseases and Dr. Meena Ramchandani discuss Dr. Reid’s recent study to identify key T. pallidum proteins which stimulate CD4 T cell response to syphilis.
December 18, 2024
Expert Interviews
Syphilis: Immune Responses & Vaccine Development
23 min 59 sec
The body’s immune response to syphilis and how the response impacts the development of a vaccine is complex. Dr. Tara Reid from the University of Washington Division of Allergy & Infectious Diseases delves into the various responses and the difficulties of vaccine development with Dr. Meena Ramchandani.
October 28, 2024
Literature Review
Syphilis: A 2024 Update
14 min 20 sec
This episode discusses five recent articles on syphilis including the effectiveness of linezolid and azithromycin, a new penicillin allergy testing algorithm, and a successful integrated response to address a syphilis epidemic in a rural American Indian community.
October 3, 2024
Expert Interviews
Antimicrobial Resistance in STI Pathogens
26 min 48 sec
Dr. Johan Melendez, a Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Assistant Professor, discusses STI antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and why Neisseria gonorrhoea is resistant, AMR diagnostic options such as point-of-care assays, and his work on evaluating AMR in resource-limited settings with National STD Curriculum Podcast Editor Dr. Meena Ramchandani.
August 12, 2024
Literature Review
Can LGV Be Asymptomatic?
12 min 45 sec
This episode discusses four recent articles about lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) including the effectiveness of a 7-day doxycycline course and the increasing prevalence of asymptomatic LGV in the era of HIV PrEP.
June 6, 2024
Hot Topic
CDC 2022 STI Surveillance Report: Key Findings
7 min 6 sec
This episode highlights important trends and data about syphilis, congenital syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and disparities in STIs.
May 23, 2024
Expert Interviews
New Chlamydia Pathophysiology Research
27 min 22 sec
Professors and Drs. Daniel Rockey and Scott Grieshaber discuss their recent research on Chlamydia pathogenesis, a unique chlamydial persistence pathway, and impact of their work on future research with National STD Curriculum Podcast Editor Dr. Meena Ramchandani in the second of two episodes.
May 7, 2024
Expert Interviews
Chlamydia: Microbiology, Persistence, and Aberrancy
19 min 19 sec
Professors and Drs. Daniel Rockey and Scott Grieshaber, national experts on Chlamydia pathogenesis, discuss foundational chlamydia trachomatis concepts with Dr. Meena Ramchandani in the first of two episodes on their February 2024 article about metabolic dormancy and different antibiotic treatments.
April 15, 2024
Expert Interviews
Management of Patients on Doxy-PEP
20 min 38 sec
University of Washington Assistant Professor Dr. Chase Cannon answers National STD Curriculum Podcast Editor Host Dr. Meena Ramchandani questions about how to manage patients on Doxy-PEP including exposure to syphilis, STI testing frequency, and key counseling points for patients.
February 15, 2024
Literature Review
Can Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, or Mgen Spontaneously Clear?
13 min 30 sec
This episode reviews five articles regarding spontaneous clearance of Neisseria gonorrhoea, Chlamydia trachomatis, and Mycoplasma genitalium without the use of antibiotics.
December 18, 2023
Literature Review
What's the Relationship Between Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) and STIs?
14 min 51 sec
This episode discusses four articles focusing on the association between BV and chlamydia, gonorrhea, Mycoplasma genitalium, and human papillomavirus (HPV).
November 27, 2023
Literature Review
Does EPT Work for Trichomonas?
14 min 5 sec
This episode discusses three articles about the effectiveness of expedited partner therapy (EPT) for trichomoniasis in women and female adolescents.
October 3, 2023
Conference Summaries
STI & HIV 2023 World Congress: Pharyngeal Gonorrhea Updates
11 min 10 sec
This episode reviews four updates on pharyngeal gonorrhea discussed in oral abstracts and poster presentations during July’s STI & HIV 2023 World Congress.
June 26, 2023
Expert Interviews
Congenital Syphilis: Diagnosis and Management
21 min 0 sec
Congenital syphilis expert Dr. Katherine Hsu reviews the complexities of when and how to test neonates for congenital syphilis, actionable differential diagnosis, treatment, and long-term infant outcomes after exposure. The discussion expands on the June 12 Congenital Syphilis Prevention episode.
May 19, 2023
Hot Topic
How to Treat Gonorrhea Without Ceftriaxone
12 min 58 sec
This episode reviews three articles about four antimicrobial treatment options for Neisseria gonorrhoeae other than ceftriaxone.
March 15, 2023
Conference Summaries
2022 STD Prevention Conference: Innovative STI Testing Options
13 min 35 sec
This episode reviews three oral abstracts about these innovative STI testing methods and their clinical impacts: point-of-care gonorrhea and chlamydia testing; point-of-care rapid syphilis testing in jails; and the addition of a Mycoplasma genitalium test to initial evaluations for non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU). The abstracts were presented during the September 2022 STD Prevention Conference Oral Sessions 7 and 8.
February 8, 2023
Conference Summaries
2022 STD Prevention Conference: Testing for Gonorrhea & Antimicrobial Resistance
13 min 36 sec
This episode reviews four abstracts from the 2022 STD Prevention Conference Oral Session 1: Molecular Detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae Antimicrobial Resistance and STI Strain Characterization. September 19, 2022.
January 9, 2023
Expert Interviews
Ocular and Otic Syphilis: Diagnosis and Management
12 min 13 sec
Dr. Khalil Ghanem, a Johns Hopkins University Professor of Medicine and a syphilis expert, discusses how to diagnose and manage ocular and otic syphilis in an interview with the National STD Curriculum Podcast Editor Dr. Meena Ramchandani.
December 19, 2022
Expert Interviews
Mpox Virology: What Do We Know?
23 min 1 sec
Dr. Boghuma Titanji, an Emory University Assistant Professor of Medicine, discusses mpox virology in an interview with the National STD Curriculum Podcast Editor Dr. Meena Ramchandani. This seventh episode of the ongoing mpox series was recorded prior to WHO's November 28, 2022 decision to change to "mpox."
November 21, 2022
Expert Interviews
Neurosyphilis: Symptoms, CSF Testing, and Treatment
23 min 50 sec
Dr. Khalil Ghanem, a Johns Hopkins University Professor of Medicine and a syphilis expert, discusses neurosyphilis manifestations, CSF evaluations, and neurosyphilis treatment in an interview with the National STD Curriculum Podcast Editor Dr. Meena Ramchandani.
September 27, 2022
Expert Interviews
Monitoring and Interpretation of Syphilis Serologic Tests
26 min 56 sec
Dr. Khalil Ghanem, a Johns Hopkins University Professor of Medicine and a syphilis expert, reviews how to monitor and interpret syphilis serological tests in an interview with Dr. David Spach, the National STD Curriculum Editor-in-Chief.
September 15, 2022
Expert Interviews
Monkeypox: Dr. Jason Zucker Discusses Clinical Experience and Counseling in NYC
14 min 0 sec
In this episode we interview Dr. Jason Zucker, an infectious disease physician and assistant professor of medicine at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. We focus on topics of clinical manifestations and counseling of patients in the 2022 Monkeypox outbreak.
August 29, 2022
Hot Topic
Monkeypox: Key Recent Literature
16 min 3 sec
This episode discusses recently published manuscripts on the monkeypox virus and clinical manifestations of this infection in the current outbreak.
July 18, 2022
Literature Review
HSV Serologic Testing Options
15 min 5 sec
This episode discusses three articles about herpes simplex virus (HSV) serologic diagnostic testing options and outlines the 2021 STI Treatment Guidelines recommendations on when to use HSV serology.
June 21, 2022
Hot Topic
Monkeypox: What Do We Know?
17 min 15 sec
While human monkeypox is not typically considered an STI, reported cases of this current outbreak in 2022 have been identified at sexual health clinics in different countries and there are features to suggest close human-to-human transmission of this virus is playing a major role. This episode reviews three articles on monkeypox. An article on the effectiveness of oral tecovirimat for treatment is also discussed. For additional information and helpful pictures of lesions, two other 2022 articles are recommended. Clinicians are encouraged to visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to keep updated on the evolving situation.
May 25, 2022
Hot Topic
Neurosyphilis Treatment Options
13 min 50 sec
This episode reviews recent literature published on treatments for neurosyphilis other than IV penicillin.
April 19, 2022
Literature Review
Treatment Options for Trichomoniasis
9 min 38 sec
This episode focuses on some of the literature supporting seven days of metronidazole treatment for Trichomonas infection recommended in the CDC 2021 STI Treatment Guidelines.
March 24, 2022
Literature Review
EPT: What Does It Mean and Who Is It For?
12 min 8 sec
This episode discusses the literature on expedited partner therapy (EPT), a strategy for treating sex partners of persons who are diagnosed with chlamydia or gonorrhea without requiring the sex partner to have a medical evaluation.
February 25, 2022
Literature Review
A Vaccine for Gonorrhea
13 min 38 sec
Development of an effective vaccine against Neisseria gonorrhoeae has been difficult, but there has been recent progress in the field. This episode will cover some updates published in the literature on this topic.
January 14, 2022
Literature Review
HPV Vaccine Effects: New Data on Incidence of Cervical Cancer and Anal Dysplasia
15 min 32 sec
This episode reviews recent studies on how HPV vaccines are helping to prevent cervical cancer and anal dysplasia. The episode also reviews a preteens’ HPV vaccination uptake rates from 2008 to 2018 study.
November 30, 2021
Hot Topic
New Recommendations for Complicated Syphilis
9 min 52 sec
This episode reviews key updates on the diagnosis and treatment of complicated syphilis in the 2021 STI Treatment Guidelines.
September 28, 2021
Literature Review
Extragenital Testing in Women: What's Changed?
13 min 38 sec
This episode reviews some studies evaluating extragenital testing in women.
August 19, 2021
Hot Topic
Mouthwash for Gonorrhea, Does it Work?
11 min 12 sec
This episode reviews some studies evaluating mouthwash as an intervention for oropharyngeal gonorrhea.
July 15, 2021
Literature Review
Mycoplasma Genitalium
10 min 38 sec
This episode reviews some of the recent literature published on Mycoplasma genitalium, increasingly recognized important pathogen in the STD world.
April 22, 2021
Conference Summaries
Point-of-Care Tests and Express Clinics
16 min 10 sec
This episode reviews a few oral abstracts from the 2020 STD Prevention Conference, which took place virtually in September 2020, specifically looking at topics covering point-of-care tests and express clinic models.
December 15, 2020
Literature Review
Doxycycline Prophylaxis to Prevent STDs
11 min 8 sec
Doxycycline prophylaxis (pre or post) has been suggested as a way to prevent bacterial STIs [sexually transmitted infections] in high-risk groups and may be of interest in your patient population. This episode focuses on published literature on this topic.
November 15, 2020
Hot Topic
Treating STDs During COVID-19
9 min 28 sec
This episode reviews recommendations and suggestions for management of STDs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
October 15, 2020
Hot Topic
New Medications for Gonorrhea Treatment
10 min 57 sec
Gonorrhea has developed resistance to many antibiotics available and few options remain to treat this STI [sexually transmitted infection]. This podcast episode summarizes three articles recently published on new treatments for gonorrhea, specifically looking at gentamicin, delafloxacin, and zoliflodacin.
September 15, 2020
Literature Review
Treatment of Rectal Chlamydia
10 min 11 sec
Chlamydia infection can be treated with either azithromycin or doxycycline. Increasing evidence supports the use of doxycycline over azithromycin for the treatment of rectal chlamydia infection. This podcast summarizes literature on this topic.
