SARS-CoV-2 infection in adults and HIV: an update.

Aim COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 is spreading throughout the world affecting both healthy individuals and people with underlying immune-deficiencies. People living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) consist a group multiply affected by this universal crisis. Methods Literature search aiming to identify relevant publications referring to the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic in HIV infected population. Results A body of literature is rapidly growing in regard to epidemiological data, the interaction between HIV and SARS-CoV-2, and clinical outcome in people living with HIV. Intensive research is warranted to identify any interactions of the co-existence of the two viruses in the immune system of HIV infected patients as common pathophysiology and molecular aspects are recognized. Human relations are diminished as a result of the social measures, and detailed recording of the consequences in this population is needed. Conclusion Further research could shed light on the common underlying molecular mechanisms of both conditions in an attempt to discover treatment regimens for SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Evaluation of Plasma Soluble Urokinase Plasminogen Activator Receptor Levels in Patients With COVID-19 and Non-COVID-19 Pneumonia: An Observational Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: The respiratory system is the main system affected by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and a great number of infected people need hospitalization. Soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) is a biomarker indicative of acute and chronic inflammation. Current literature supports that suPAR has great predictive ability for mortality in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The aim of this study was to compare the value of suPAR and other laboratory biomarkers in patients with chest infection and suspected COVID-19. METHODS: A total of 41 consecutive patients with chest infection were enrolled in the study and were assigned into two groups according to the real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) result for SARS-CoV-2. The two groups had no significant difference in baseline data (age, sex), arterial oxygen partial pressure (PO2)/fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) ratio and mortality. RESULTS: Among patients with chest infection who required hospitalization, suPAR was significantly higher on admission in those with COVID-19 when compared to patients with non-COVID-19. suPAR had a great prognostic ability for in-hospital mortality in the COVID-19 subgroup. CONCLUSIONS: A single measurement of suPAR on admission can provide prognostic information for patients with suspected COVID-19 pneumonia. In the subgroup of patients with positive real-time PCR result for SARS-CoV2, suPAR was significantly higher and had an excellent prognostic value for the in-hospital mortality.