COVID-19 in HIV: a Review of Published Case Reports

Abstract

Patients with COVID-19 present with a myriad of comorbidities. An immunocompromised state like HIV in patients with COVID-19 can be life-threatening. We searched PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science for case reports and case series about COVID-19 in HIV patients. We finally reviewed 20 case reports including cases of 43 patients with HIV and COVID-19. The mean age of 43 adult patients was 51.56 ± 27.56 years (range 24–76 years). Of these, 30 were male (69.77%), 11 were female (25.58%), and 2 were transgender (4.65%). A total of 25 patients (58.14%) were above 50 years of age. The most common cardiovascular comorbidities were hypertension and hyperlipidemia (48.8%), diabetes (20.93%), and morbid obesity (11.63%). Out of 43 HIV patients with COVID-19, 6 resulted in death (13.95%). All the patients who died were elderly above 50 years and required mechanical ventilation. HIV patients infected with COVID-19 had a high mortality rate. A high burden of pre-existing comorbidities and an advanced age in these patients make them prone to disease progression and worse outcomes.

Life under COVID-19 for LGBT+ people in the UK: systematic review of UK research on the impact of COVID-19 on sexual and gender minority populations

“…19 20 Men who have sex with men, and transgender women, have higher rates of HIV, which may exacerbate the effects of the COVID-19 virus. 21 In addition, it has been demonstrated that the greater the level of minority stress on a person from the sexual minority community, the greater the negative impact on their mental health. 22 Minority stress may also adversely affect their physical health.…”

“… 19 20 Men who have sex with men, and transgender women, have higher rates of HIV, which may exacerbate the effects of the COVID-19 virus. 21 …”

Short Communication: HIV Viral Load Trends During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic in a Reference Center for HIV in Rome, Italy

“…1 During lockdown, some of the international scientific societies suggested to postpone HIV care visits for steady patients and screening for most sexually transmitted infections (STIs), to reduce SARS-CoV-2 spreading. 2 Currently, our knowledge concerning whether or not people living with HIV (PLWH) are at a higher risk of severe COVID-19, 3,4 or whether antiretroviral medications used to treat HIV may be protective against severe COVID-19 5 is still limited. As a matter of fact, most of the PLWH hospitalized because of SARS-CoV-2 infection were also affected by other comorbidities, including cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.…”

General practice attendances among patients attending a post-COVID-19 clinic: a pilot study

“…Immunocompromised populations (for example, people receiving cancer therapies such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy; and individuals with HIV) appear more likely to contract COVID-19. 8 , 9 Comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases are also common among those with COVID-19. 10 To compound matters, individuals with pre-existing health conditions are often more susceptible to severe COVID-19-related illness and injury.…”

“… 10 To compound matters, individuals with pre-existing health conditions are often more susceptible to severe COVID-19-related illness and injury. At-risk populations include those with weaker immune systems (for example, recipients of immunosuppressant therapy and populations with HIV), 8 , 9 and those with chronic health conditions such as hypertension, 10 , 11 diabetes, 10 , 11 cardiac illnesses, 4 , 10 – 12 chronic lung disease, 13 liver disease, 14 haematological malignancy, 15 chronic kidney disease, 16 and neurological conditions including dementia, Parkinson’s, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and spinal cord injury. 16 Evidence regarding COVID-19-related health impacts for groups — including pregnant patients and their babies, 17 patients who are immunocompromised, patients with diabetes, 9 , 18 and patients with asthma 19 — is mixed in terms of clinical outcomes and evidence availability.…”