“I was one of the first presenters back in 1985, early in the pandemic, when we began our journey to understand HIV AIDS,” says Edward Klatt, Professor of Pathology at Mercer University School of Medicine. “Now I'm back for a followup.”
Here, Klatt previews his upcoming ASCP workshop exploring the science behind two viral pandemics, and how it informs our response to such outbreaks.
The following transcript has been edited for clarity.
I am Edward Klatt, Professor of Pathology at the Mercer University School of Medicine in Savannah, Georgia. I will be presenting the session “Lessons Learned from Two Pandemics, HIV and SARS-CoV2.”
Pathologists have had a unique perspective as our knowledge and roles in health care bridge both basic science and clinical science. We provide information and consultation with other health care professionals.
Some history. I was one of the first presenters back in 1985, early in the pandemic, when we began our journey to understand HIV AIDS. I'm back for a followup.
The zoonotic genetic shift from sim-immuno deficiency virus to become what we now call HIV likely occurred almost 100 years ago. But sociologic factors involved in the emergence of a pandemic played out over decades. This pandemic challenged our health care systems and public agencies to adapt and to find solutions. It was an impetus to adopt better safety strategies.
The original SARS, severe acute respiratory syndrome, first emerged in the fall of 2002 and was traced to a zoonotic genetic shift common in viral evolution. The outbreak spread regionally but not extensively. This informed what could happen again, and which did occur in December of 2019, with what became known as the third SARS, named SARS-CoV2.
Both viruses illustrate how they take advantage of human behaviors to evolve, spread, and rapidly become established.
Scientific research methods have advanced to provide details of a biology at a molecular level that informs approaches for viral control. Basic science research informed the nature of both HIV and SARS-CoV2 and means of spread and disease development. Both spawned novel ways to combat the viruses that have proved to be highly efficacious.
However, human behavioral characteristics modify responses to pandemics and population factors have played a role as well. This workshop will explore the science behind the viral pandemics that informs what we have learned and what we can do and inform our approaches at both an individual and institutional level to respond to those challenges and promote both individual and population health.
See you in Montréal.
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