Low risk of bacterial co-infection, opportunistic diseases, and persistent immunosuppression in people living with HIV and COVID-19

Purpose SARS-CoV-2 infection produces lymphopenia and CD4+ T-cell decrease, which could lead to a higher risk of bacterial co-infection or impair immunological evolution in people living with HIV (PLWH). Methods We investigated the rate of co-infection and superinfection, and the evolution of CD4+ count and CD4+/CD8+ ratio, in hospitalized PLWH with COVID-19. Results From March to December 2020, 176 PLWH had symptomatic COVID-19 and 62 required hospitalization (median age, 56 years, 89% males). At admission, 7% and 13% of patients had leukocytosis or increased procalcitonin values and 37 (60%) received empiric antibiotic therapy, but no bacterial co-infection was diagnosed. There were seven cases of superinfection (12%), and one case of P. jiroveci pneumonia during ICU stay. No significant change in CD4+ count or CD4+/CD8+ ratio was observed after discharge. Conclusion Bacterial co-infection is not frequent in PLWH with COVID-19. Immune recovery is observed in most of patients after the disease.

Automated summary

This study investigated the co-infection and superinfection rates, as well as the changes in CD4+ count and CD4+/CD8+ ratio, in hospitalized people living with HIV (PLWH) with COVID-19. The results showed that bacterial co-infection was not frequent and most patients experienced immune recovery after the disease.