HIV Interview

Laboratory manager
Community blood center
02/19/2008
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1.What inspired you to choose this field?

As a young child I was always curious as to how the human body functioned. Why do we sneeze, what makes our heart beat, things of that nature. As I grew older I found myself still asking questions, only then they became more advanced, how does RNA code for proteins, etc. At the same time I knew that I wanted to do something meaningful for my community. That’s why I chose a position in a not for profit agency.

2. Do you personally have experience with someone afflicted by HIV or AIDS?

Fortunately the Aids epidemic has not affected me personally in that none of my loved ones have fell victim to the disease. But you have to realize that this is a non-discriminatory virus, it can affect anyone, no matter their age, race, social or economic status. That is why we must be vigilant in protecting ourselves. This is a totally preventable disease.

3. What do you look for when testing donors for HIV/Aids?

Well, we have several machines that do the testing here at the community blood center. In our viral testing laboratory, the two major testing formats we utilize are the NAT, nucleic acid testing and the EIA. The NAT testing is highly sensitive and rarely exhibits false readings. This machine analyzes PCR, Polyermase chain reaction sequences in a three step process. Our labs also check for HIV antibodies by using the EIA enzyme immunoassay testing. A reactive test result will provoke further confirmation testing.

4. How often do you see positive test results?

In our lab, true positives are rare. I think the last one was about seven months ago. We get several reactive results a day, but further testing usually results in a negative result.

5. Do you have any accounts of positive results that you would like to tell us about?

Well, about a year age we had a blood drive at a nearby high school. We don’t usually get positive results from teen donors, but in this instance we had a unit test positive from a 14 year old boy. Its like I said earlier, HIV does not discriminate in who it targets, we are all at risk. Especially teenagers, who often have the attitude that nothing can hurt them, and who are often exhibiting the types of risky behavior that make them at risk for the diseases.

6. Why should somebody studying HIV be familiar with evolution?

Well, this is a virus that mutates and evolves with a tremendous frequency. It’s good to understand the proponents of evolution to stay ahead of the virus.

7. How does the nature of the gene inhibit scientists from finding a cure or vaccine?

Well, the HIV virus is constantly changing and mutating. Even within its host, there can be all kinds of variant strands within one infected person on any given day. Its fast and we have to be able to keep up with it if we want to be able to one day eradicate the disease.

8. What is your opinion on using grid computing for HIV research?

I’m not that familiar with grid computing. (We explain what it is) Well that sounds like a great idea. It’s really neat that we can help to find a cure at home. I don’t think I had heard of this before, but it makes a lot of sense.