Tropical medicine for the General Practitioner - Cases From Peru Dr Clinton Colaco

Host: Michelle Odayan (My Health Academy)

Guest Speaker: Dr. Clinton Colaco (Infectious Diseases & Consultant Physician)

Watch the video version with slides at Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/4fOSlJ5aLu2ijIKhmlGTZg

Episode Overview

Join us as Sydney infectious diseases physician Dr. Clinton Colaco shares clinical pearls and fascinating case studies from his time completing the prestigious Gorgas Course in Clinical Tropical Medicine in Lima, Peru. While these cases originate in South America, their diagnostic lessons are highly relevant for any primary care clinician treating travelers, immigrants, or dealing with local tropical pathogens.

From navigating the diagnostic pitfalls of syphilis testing to removing botfly larvae, this episode equips general practitioners (GPs) with the essential skills to spot overlooked tropical diseases and ask the right social and travel questions.

High-Yield Chapter Markers

[00:00] Introduction

Host Michelle Odayan introduces Dr. Clinton Colaco and his background.

[05:30] Case 1: Syphilis, HIV, & The "Prozone Effect"

A 41-year-old male presents with a widespread psoriasiform rash and a negative RPR test. Dr. Colaco explains the prozone effect—how an excess of antigen-antibody complexes can cause false-negative serology in secondary syphilis—and how to overcome it with serum dilution.

[09:15] Case 2: Cryptococcal Meningitis & Bedside Eye Ultrasound