SARS-CoV-2 Specific Immune Response and Inflammatory Profile in Advanced HIV-Infected Persons during a COVID-19...

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Infectious Diseases
• Virology

Background:

• Advanced HIV infection presents unique challenges during infectious disease outbreaks.
• Understanding the interplay between HIV, COVID-19, and immune response is critical.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess clinical and immunological outcomes in advanced HIV patients during a SARS-CoV-2 outbreak.
• To analyze the inflammatory profile and immune response (humoral and T-cell) to SARS-CoV-2 in HIV-positive individuals.

Main Methods:

• ELISA and ELISpot assays were used to evaluate antibody kinetics, neutralizing activity, and SARS-CoV-2 specific T-cell response.
• Inflammatory markers (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNFα) were measured in HIV/COVID-19, HIV-positive non-COVID-19, and HIV-negative COVID-19 groups.
• Statistical comparisons were performed using Mann-Whitney or Kruskal-Wallis tests.

Main Results:

• Mild to moderate COVID-19 severity and a 10% mortality rate were observed in the studied HIV population.
• 90% of patients exhibited positive antibody titers and neutralizing activity, with 100% showing a SARS-CoV-2 specific T-cell response.
• Contrary to expectations, significantly higher levels of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α were found in COVID-19 patients without HIV compared to those with HIV/COVID-19.

Conclusions:

• HIV infection did not appear to impair the COVID-19-related inflammatory state or the development of specific immunity.
• The study suggests that individuals with advanced HIV can mount an effective immune response to SARS-CoV-2.
• Further research is needed to determine the long-term persistence and expansion capabilities of this immunity post-exposure or vaccination.