COVID-19 infection in people living with HIV

Abstract

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are intersecting pandemics, with implications for care at an individual and global scale.

Sources of data: PubMed search with relevant articles and their references reviewed.

Areas of agreement: COVID-19 has changed the delivery of care to people living with HIV (PLWH). Vaccines are efficacious and safe for PLWH; patient care for symptomatic COVID-19 is similar to that of people without HIV.

Areas of controversy: It remains unclear whether PLWH experience increased COVID-19-specific mortality. Treatments to reduce severity in early COVID-19 infection lack evidence in PLWH.

Growing points: The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on HIV-related morbidity and mortality are yet to be seen. COVID-19 epidemiology among PLWH is complicated by changes to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, population behaviours and vaccine availability.

Areas timely for developing research: Global trends in HIV-related morbidity and mortality should be monitored to appreciate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The benefits of early antiviral and/or neutralizing monoclonal antibody (nMAb) treatment for PLWH and nMAb prophylaxis require investigation.

Keywords: COVID-19; COVID-19 vaccines; HIV; SARS-CoV-2; epidemiology; severity; treatment.