Some clinical and epidemiological aspects of the course of COVID-19 in people living with HIV

ABSTRACT

Objective. To describe the clinical and epidemical characteristics of a new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in people living with HIV, for HIV infection implies the development of an immunosuppressive condition that may exacerbate the course of COVID-19. Material and methods. The research is based on retrospective and current epidemiological situation of HIV and SARS-CoV-2 infections in the Southern Russia regions during 2020 and survey of the patients with the co-infections concerning epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory diagnostic information. We collected all data from 15 regional centers for AIDS prevention and control in the Southern and North Caucasus Federal Districts. The survey sample consists of 121 patients. Statistical computation is done with Microsoft Office Excel 2010. Results and discussion. HIV patients of various age and social characteristics are involved in the COVID-19 epidemic process. Within registered HIV and SARS-CoV-2 co-infections all patients have apparent clinical symptoms. Asymptomatic cases are not presented. Mild cases prevail in the sample (48.8%). The frequency of severe and extremely severe was significantly higher in people living with HIV/AIDS on ART more than 2 months against naive PLHIV or using ART up two one month (р<0.05). © 2022 by the authors.