COVID-19 in people living with human immunodeficiency virus: a case series of 33 patients

Infection. 2020 Oct;48(5):681-686. doi: 10.1007/s15010-020-01438-z. Epub 2020 May 11.

Abstract

Introduction: Data on people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH) in the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic are still scarce. This case series of 33 PLWH patients with COVID-19 reveals symptoms and outcome in this special population.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of anonymized data including age, gender, HIV-associated parameters, symptoms, and outcome.

Results: Three out of 32 patients with documented outcomes died (9%). 91% of the patients recovered and 76% have been classified as mild cases. All patients were on antiretroviral treatment, of them 22 on tenofovir-containing regimen and 4 on the protease inhibitor darunavir.

Conclusions: This preliminary case series does not support excess morbidity and mortality among symptomatic COVID-19 PLWH and with viral suppression on ART. SARS-CoV-2 infections may occur during boosted darunavir-based and/or on tenofovir-containing ART.

Keywords: AIDS; Antiretroviral therapy; COVID-19; HIV infection; SARS-CoV-2.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active
  • Betacoronavirus / drug effects
  • Betacoronavirus / immunology
  • Betacoronavirus / pathogenicity*
  • COVID-19
  • Coinfection
  • Coronavirus Infections / drug therapy
  • Coronavirus Infections / mortality
  • Coronavirus Infections / pathology
  • Coronavirus Infections / virology*
  • Darunavir / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • HIV / drug effects
  • HIV / immunology
  • HIV / pathogenicity*
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy
  • HIV Infections / mortality
  • HIV Infections / pathology
  • HIV Infections / virology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral / drug therapy
  • Pneumonia, Viral / mortality
  • Pneumonia, Viral / pathology
  • Pneumonia, Viral / virology*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Survival Analysis
  • Tenofovir / therapeutic use*
  • Viral Load / drug effects

Substances

  • Tenofovir
  • Darunavir