Hiv patients with COVID-19 hospitalized in a tertiary care center in mexico city

ABSTRACT

Background: The main risk factors for severe COVID-19 described are diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, obesity, chronic lung and renal disease. HIV infection has not been found to be an independent factor for severe COVID-19, however, only small case series of HIV and COVID-19 have been reported. The aim of this study is to describe clinical characteristics and outcomes of HIV positive patients with COVID-19 hospitalized in a tertiary care hospital in Mexico City. Methods: A single-center review of HIV-infected patients diagnosed with COVID-19 was performed using medical records from March 1st, 2020 to May 20th, 2020. We describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes Results: A total of 11 PLWH were diagnosed with COVID-19, only 9 were hospitalized and are described here. One died, 6 were discharged and 2 remain hospitalized (table 1). Overall, the median age was 46 years, all males and most (7/9) were on INSTI based ART regimen and undetectable HIV viral load (9/9), with a median of CD4 counts of 581 cell/mm3. The median days since onset of COVID19 symptoms was 7 days. 6/9 had at least one comorbidity hypertension (3/9) and chronic kidney disease (3/9). 7/9 had body max index >25. 7/9 had moderate to severe lung disease, evidenced by computed tomography. 4/9 required invasive mechanical ventilation, and all were successfully extubated. Conclusion: Most of the HIV patients who required hospitalization due to COVID19 had comorbidities. In spite of severe and critical presentations, most patients have recovered. Outcomes appear no different from those seen for non-HIV infected patients, however larger studies to determine the risk that HIV infection confers to COVID19 outcomes are needed.