Potential impact of the COVID-19 in HIV-infected individuals: a systematic review Impact of the COVID-19 in HIV-Infected Individuals

Rev Assoc Med Bras (1992). 2021 Jul 9;67Suppl 1(Suppl 1):127-156. doi: 10.1590/1806-9282.67.Suppl1.20200754. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Background: Although much has been studied about the SARS-Cov-2 virus, its effects, and the effectiveness of possible treatments, little is known about its interaction with other infectious diseases.

Objective: The aim is to study its clinical features and morbidity, and mortality outcomes of COVID-19 patients with HIV/AIDS coinfection.

Data sources: MEDLINE, Web of Science, Embase, CINAHL, LILACS, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Cochrane.

Study eligibility criteria: Atudies in any language, published after 2019, were describing COVID-19 patients with HIV/AIDS.

Study appraisal: JBI Levels of Evidence, Joanna Briggs Institute.

Synthesis methods: As shown in the PRISMA flow diagram, two authors separately screened the search results from the obtained titles and abstracts.

Results: Chest CT was observed in patients with pneumonia by SARS-CoV-2 with findings of multiple ground-glass opacities (GGO) in the lungs, there is a need for supplemental oxygenation. One patient developed encephalopathy and complicated tonic-clonic seizures; four patients were transplanted (two, liver; two, kidneys), one patient developed severe SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia and 30 patients died (mortality rate, 11%).

Conclusion: HIV did not show any relevance directly with the occurrence of COVID-19. Some studies suggest that HIV-1 infection through induction levels of IFN-I, may to some extent, stop the apparent SARS-CoV-2 infection, thus leading to undetectable RNA. Moreover, some authors suggest retroviral therapy routinely used to control HIV infection could be used to prevent COVID-19 infection.

Publication types

  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19*
  • Coinfection*
  • HIV Infections* / complications
  • Humans
  • SARS-CoV-2