Blood, Sweat and Smears - A Machaon Diagnostics Podcast

We did a 5 Questions episode at the Clinical Immunology Society 2026 meeting.Thanks to all who participated!

We asked 5 (six, really) questions of Pediatric Hematologists/Oncologists at the ASPHO meeting in Minneapolis in this fun in-booth recording.

5 Questions is a series of Blood, Sweat and Smears episodes hosted by Senior Director, Bjorn Stromsness, who asks 5 questions to physicians in and around the disease areas we work in. In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Chirag Parikh, Nephrologist at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine who is particularly known for his work around Acute Interstitial Nephritis (AIN).

In this episode, our Medical Director, Dr. Brad Lewis, talks with Dr. Joe Rocco, a NIAID Assistant Clinical Investigator who specializes in Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). Dr. Lewis and Dr. Rocco discuss HLH and the evolving approach to recognizing and managing this life-threatening hyperinflammatory syndrome. The conversation focuses on early clinical recognition, the role of CXCL9 as a dynamic marker of interferon-gamma activity, and how recent multicenter data support using CXCL9 to stratify risk, guide treatment urgency, and improve outcomes in critically ill patients. Click for more information on our HLH Genetic Panel or visit us at MachaonDiagnostics.com.

In this episode, we focus on the research side of Machaon Diagnostics. Dive into the future of medicine with this podcast, which explores how exciting new therapeutics are developed, touching on oncology and the revolutionary CAR-T modality. Violet Votin, PhD, Associate Director of Scientific Affairs at Machaon, chats with Candy Bermingham, PhD, Vice President and Head of Clinical Science at Arcus Biosciences. Discover how assay selection criteria and fast, reliable laboratory testing are shaping the next generation of therapeutic breakthroughs.Interested in CAR-T and other cell therapies? Check out our new CRS panel: https://www.machaondiagnostics.com/test/cytokine-release-syndrome-12-test-panel/.

5 Questions is a new series of Blood, Sweat and Smears, hosted by our Senior Director, Bjorn Stromsness, who asks 5 questions to physicians in and around the disease areas we work in. In this episode, we are joined by Clinical Associate Professor of Hematology at Stanford Medicine, Dr. James Malone, Colonel and Command Surgeon of the U.S. Army Reserves. 

A retrospective look at the Modified Ham (mHam 2.0) Complement-Dependent Cell Killing Assay, one year after its release.Don't forget, this test has a STAT TAT of < 24 hours (M-F).Visit ➡️ https://mham.machaondiagnostics.com/ to learn more. 

5 Questions is a new series of Blood, Sweat and Smears, hosted by our Senior Director, Bjorn Stromsness, who asks 5 questions to physicians in and around the disease areas we work in. In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Christen Ebens, MD, MPH, Associate Professor in the Division of Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplantation & Cellular Therapy Program at the University of Minnesota. 

5 Questions is a new series of Blood, Sweat and Smears, hosted by our Senior Director, Bjorn Stromsness, who asks 5 questions to physicians in and around the disease areas we work in. In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Lara Patriquin, a radiologist at the University of Utah and a speaker and coach for Thinking2Point0.

In this podcast, our Medical Director, Brad Lewis, speaks again with Scott Canna, MD. Dr. Canna is a physician-scientist studying the mechanisms that drive autoinflammatory and/or hyperinflammatory diseases at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Dr. Lewis and Dr. Canna discuss the Cytokine Release Syndrome (12-test) Panel, when to order it, and when you order it- what to do with all the results.This test is now available at Machaon Diagnostics with a STAT TAT of 24 hours!

5 Questions is a new series of Blood, Sweat and Smears, hosted by our Senior Director, Bjorn Stromsness, who asks 5 questions to physicians in and around the disease areas we work in. In this episode, we are joined by Richard M. Burwick, MD, MPH, Associate Professor of Maternal-Fetal Medicine with San Gabriel Valley Perinatal Medical Group.

5 Questions is a new series of Blood, Sweat and Smears, hosted by our Senior Director, Bjorn Stromsness who asks 5 questions to physicians in and around the disease areas we work in. In this episode, we are joined by Ramy M. Hanna, MD, Associate Professor — Division of Nephrology, Hypertension and Kidney Transplantation, Medicine, and the Director of the Center for Rare Kidney Diseases and Glomerulonephritis at the University of California, Irvine.

5 Questions is a new series of Blood, Sweat and Smears, hosted by our Senior Director, Bjorn Stromsness who asks 5 questions to physicians in and around the disease areas we work in. In this episode, we are joined by pediatric hematologist-oncologist Dr. Anthony Sabulski from Cincinnati Children's Hospital. Dr. Sabulski is a Member of the Division of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Immune Deficiency and an Assistant Professor in the UC Department of Pediatrics. 

5 Questions is a new series of Blood, Sweat and Smears, hosted by our Senior Director, Bjorn Stromsness who asks 5 questions to physicians in and around the disease areas we work in. In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Kelly Davidson, Assistant Professor of Hematology/Oncology at the University of Virginia, who specializes in a variety of benign and malignant hematologic diseases with a focus on cellular hematology. 

5 Questions is a new series of Blood, Sweat and Smears, hosted by our Senior Director, Bjorn Stromsness who asks 5 questions to physicians in and around the disease areas we work in. In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Saara Kaviany, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Clinical Director of Pediatric Stem Cell and Cellular Therapy Program, The Clinical Director of Comprehensive Immune Deficiency and Dysregulation Clincinic at the University of Chicago-Comer Children's Hospital. 

In this episode of Blood, Sweat and Smears, our senior director of Business Development, Bjorn Stromsness, attended the American Society of Hematology (ASH) 2024 in San Diego, CA, and asked nephrologists 1 question: what is the most critical test you order for your patients?For more information on Machaon Diagnostics and our testing, please visit machaondiagnostics.com or call us at 1 (800)566-3462. 

In this podcast, our Medical Director, Dr. Brad Lewis, talks with Dr. Robert Brodsky, a Professor of Medicine and Oncology and Director of Hematology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in BaltimoreDr. Lewis and Dr. Brodsky discuss a new test he and his lab have recently developed, modified HAM (mHam) and how the test can be used. Click here ➡️ https://bit.ly/47wN5fN for more info about the test Machaon offers or visit us at Machaon Diagnostics.

In this episode of Blood, Sweat and Smears, our senior director of Business Development, Bjorn Stromsness, attended the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) Kidney Week 2024 in San Diego, CA, and asked nephrologists 1 question: what is the most critical test you order for your patients? For more information on Machaon Diagnostics and the testing we provide, please visit machaondiagnostics.com or call us at 1 800 566 3462. 

5 Questions is a new series of Blood, Sweat and Smears, hosted by our Senior Director, Bjorn Stromsness, who asks 5 questions to physicians in and around the disease areas we work in. In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Xiao Peng, who recently joined the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore faculty as Assistant Professor in the Division of Genetics, Department of Pediatrics. She is Co-Director of the newly formed New York Center for Rare Diseases, part of Montefiore.

5 Questions is a new series of Blood, Sweat and Smears, hosted by our Senior Director, Bjorn Stromsness, who asks 5 questions to physicians in and around the disease areas we work in. In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Anita Dhanrajani, a pediatric rheumatologist at Children's Hospital New Orleans, specializing in children with autoimmune diseases.

5 Questions is a new series of Blood, Sweat and Smears, hosted by our Senior Director, Bjorn Stromsness who asks 5 questions to physicians in and around the disease areas we work in. In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Ashley Gefen, MD, a pediatric nephrologist specializing in genetic kidney diseases, tubular disorders, and kidney stone disease at Phoenix Children's Hospital. 

5 Questions is a new series of Blood, Sweat and Smears, hosted by our Senior Director, Bjorn Stromsness who asks 5 questions to physicians in and around the disease areas we work in. In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Patricia Kopko, a Professor of Pathology at UC San Diego, Director of Transfusion Medicine, and Associate Director of the Immunogenetic and Transportation Laboratory.  

In this podcast our Medical Director, Dr. Brad Lewis, discusses mixing studies- more specifically what a mixing study is and what it isn't, as well as a few quirks we see in some of the mixing studies. Click here ➡️ https://bit.ly/47wN5fN for information on all the different mixing studies that Machaon Diagnostics performs.

In this podcast, our Medical Director, Dr. Brad Lewis, discusses heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, also known as HIT. Dr. Lewis addresses what HIT is, how to diagnose and interpret testing, and the role of functional testing like the HIPA (Heparin-Induced Platelet Antibody) test.

In this podcast, our Medical Director, Dr. Brad Lewis, talks with Dr. Scott Canna, from the Division of Rheumatology and the Immune Dysregulation Program at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Dr. Lewis and Dr. Canna discuss Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH); what HLH is, treating and diagnosing HLH, and infections that make you particularly worried about the possibility of HLH developing. Don't forget, Machaon offers genetic testing STAT results in 48 hours!

In this podcast, our Medical Director, Brad Lewis, discusses a  pediatric case of aHUS with Dr. Amara Finch, a Pediatric Resident Physician at the University of Utah.Dr. Finch presents a fascinating case of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) in a 40-day-old patient. Using Machaon Diagnostics' fast turnaround time, physicians were able to get the results for their aHUS Genetic Panel, saving the patient who was to soon have discontinued care.  Comment from the physician: "We are all very appreciative that we were able to get that test back so quickly. I’m pleased to report that we used the results to start Eculizumab on Saturday and it's worked amazingly well! We were on the verge of discontinuing care for this baby, and he is now extubated and totally out of renal failure. It's quite an amazing turnaround. Thank you all so much! Let us know if we can hype you up to anyone!”Don't forget... Machaon offers aHUS testing with a turnaround time of 24 hours!

In this podcast, our Medical Director, Brad Lewis, talks with Dr. Christina Klein, a transplant nephrologist and the head of the transplant program at Piedmont Transplant Institute in Atlanta, GA. Dr. Lewis and Dr. Klein discuss renal transplants and the different roles of testing around renal transplants (i.e. gene sequencing and soluble MAC). They also discuss the functions of genetic testing for aHUS and complement activation in patients who are coming in for transplant evaluation.Don't forget... Machaon offers aHUS testing with a turnaround time of 24 hours. 

In this podcast, our Medical Director, Brad Lewis, continues his conversation with Jamey Kain, Vice President of Genetic Innovation here at Machaon. Brad and Jamey discuss what next-generation sequencing (NGS) is, why it's important and some of the issues we face with NGS.Don't forget, Machaon offers genetic testing STAT results in 48 hours!

In this podcast, our Medical Director, Brad Lewis, talks with Jamey Kain, Vice President of Genetic Innovation here at Machaon. Brad and Jamey discuss how we design our genetic panels, what goes in, what stays out and how we think about clinical utility and turnaround time considerations.Don't forget, Machaon offers genetic testing STAT results in 48 hours!

Join Dr. Kerstin de Wit and our Medical Director, Dr. Brad Lewis, discuss the importance of accessing and educating patients with newly diagnosed venous thrombotic disease. Many patient factors, including age, sex, activity and knowledge levels should be considered to optimize acceptance and disease management. Providers can help patients minimize distress with careful questioning and listening skills.

In this episode we hear an interview with Mike Ero, Machaon Diagnostics' Founder and CEO. A Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) who added an MBA, Mike started Machaon Diagnostics back in 2003 at the age of 29. Just how did all of that come about? Listen and find out. We hope you find our origin story interesting. You'll get a good sense of why we were founded and the mission we are fulfilling today. 

Andra James, MD, MPH is a Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine at Duke University Center, and consulting professor of Medicine, Division of Hematology. She is also the founder of Duke University's Women's Hemostasis and Thrombosis Clinic. Dr. James and Machaon Diagnostics' Medical Director, Dr. Brad Lewis, discuss the various approaches to monitoring bleeding disorders (VWD, Platelet Disorders and mild Hemophilia) during critical time frames before, during & after pregnancy in women.  Tracking factor levels and having a good plan in place for time of delivery is important. OB/GYNs and Hematologists can partner to provide the best care for patients at every step.

Our Medical Director, Brad Lewis, MD, discusses COVID-19 Vaccine-Induced Immune Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia (VITT) and diagnostic strategies. 

In this episode Dr. Brad Lewis talks about PAI-1, testing for PAI-1 and where things look to be heading for the future of this gene and conditions associated with it.We released this episode to coincide with Pi Day (3.14).

Join Michelle Hermiston, MD, PhD - Associate Professor of Pediatrics (Pediatric Hematologist/Oncologist) at UCSF and our Medical Director, Brad Lewis, MD, discuss the challenges of diagnosing Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis or HLH, possible triggers and approach to management.If you are interested in our 48-hour STAT check out the link for more information 👉 http://bit.ly/37rm28H. We can send you draw kits and are happy to talk you through the process/details.

Our Medical Director, Brad Lewis, MD, discusses aHUS/TMAs in pregnancy with Richard Burwick, MD, MPH - Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.If you are interested in our 48-hour STAT aHUS Testing please let us know. We can send you draw kits and are happy to talk you through the process/details.

Our Medical Director, Brad Lewis, addresses a number of questions around hypercoagulability and COVID-19.

Dr. Brad Lewis discusses sC5b-9 in this podcast addressing; what sC5b-9 testing is, why you want to know about this test and when to use it. Dr. Lewis also explores how it helps when trying to confirm a diagnosis. 

Dr. Brad Lewis discusses hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH); when you want to think about HLH, why you want to think about HLH, and how to diagnose this disorder. 

Dr. Lewis discusses TMAs in the post-BMT setting, recent research into the topic, when to think about it and what to do about it. 

Dr. Brad Lewis discusses considerations for genetic testing when it comes to hemophilia and rare forms of von Willebrand disease.

Dr. Brad Lewis talks through how he thinks about Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT) and when testing is called for. Dr. Lewis leverages his decades of clinical experience to help clinicians approach patients suspected of having HIT.