Persistence of SARS-CoV-2-specific AB response in HIV+ individuals on art

ABSTRACT

Background: Immune dysfunction characterized by lower antibody (Ab) response to infection or vaccination has been well described among People Living with HIV (PLWH), but due to the novelty of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has not been evaluated among PLWH coinfected with SARS-CoV-2. This study compared the magnitude and longevity of Ab response to SARS-CoV-2 in a group of HIV+ and HIV-individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 Methods: 17 HIV+COVID+ and 19 HIV-COVID+ participants were recruited from the community as part of the ACTION study and followed longitudinally at day 14, 1 month and 3 months. HIV+ were on effective ART (plasma viral load <500 copies/ml). SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed by SARS-COV2 DNA PCR and rapid antibody test. All participants had mild/moderate COVID-19 without hospitalization. Antibody responses (IgG and IgM) were measured using an indirect in house developed ELISA using spike RBD antigen (courtesy, Scott Boyd, Stanford University) and the data are expressed as relative Ab units based on the positive control standard. Results: The median age of HIV+ participants was 55 (26-63) with 23.5% (4/17) females. The median age for HIV-was 38 (27-78) with 57.8% (11/19) females. Time from COVID-19 diagnosis was 26 days for HIV+ and 21 for HIV-. Mean CD4 count for the HIV+ participants was 859.5 ± 287.2 cells/μl. Longitudinal analysis did not show a significant reduction in Ab response at 3 months in either HIV+ or HIV-groups. Levels of SARS-CoV-2 RBD specific IgM and IgG responses did not differ significantly between HIV+ and HIV-at any timepoint although there was a trend of lower IgM and IgG responses at 3 months in both groups compared to entry levels. Age was correlated with IgG response at day 14 (r =0.6, p = 0.02), 1 month (r =0.6, p = 0.014) and 3 month(r =0.87, p = 0.0008) in HIV+ and weakly correlated at day 14 (r =0.46, p = 0.04) in HIV-. Absolute CD4 count was not correlated with IgM and IgG responses in HIV+. Conclusion: The magnitude and persistence of Ab response to SARS-CoV-2 infection in the 3-4 months post-infection does not differ by HIV status. Although extended longitudinal follow-ups are required to gain insights about the longevity of Ab responses in HIV+ individuals, results suggest that immune protection and vaccine responses may not differ by HIV status.