Molecular/HIV laboratory

The Molecular/HIV laboratory

Summary

Science

Laboratory

Scientist 1

Scientist 2

Science

The Human Immunodeficiency virus principally infects specific cells of the human immune system called CD4 Tcells. In healthy individuals these cells are important for organising the appropriate immune response against infection. Left untreated these infected cells are gradually depleted so that the immune system is gradually less able to mount effective responses. When the immune system is severely compromised the patient will develop AIDS when he or she becomes susceptible to serious opportunistic infections, including Tuberculosis and Syphilis. It is therefore important to monitor the degree of infection and state of the immune system so that appropriate drug regimes can be used to delay the onset of AIDS and to treat opportunistic infections.

• Background
• Laboratory