HIV and SARS-CoV-2 Co-infection: Epidemiological, Clinical Features, and Future Implications for Clinical Care and Public Health for People Living with HIV (PLWH) and HIV Most-at-Risk Groups

Abstract

Purpose of review: The purpose of this review is to use the currently available clinical and epidemiological data, to identify key aspects to improve both the clinical management and public health response to SARS-CoV-2/HIV co-infection among HIV vulnerable populations and people living with HIV (PLWH).

Recent findings: While at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the lack of robust information on SARS-CoV-2/HIV co-infection, prevented a clear picture of the synergies between them, currently available data strongly support the importance of common structural factors on both the acquisition and clinical impact of these infections and the relevance of age, comorbidities, and detectable HIV viral load as associated worse prognostic factors among PLWH. Although more information is needed to better understand the biological, clinical, and epidemiological relationship between both infections, a syndemic approach to prevent SARS-CoV-2 among HIV high-risk groups and PLWH, targeting these populations for SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and protocolizing early identification of PLWH with worse COVID-19 prognosis factors, is crucial strategies to decrease the overall impact of SARS-CoV-2 /HIV co-infection.

Keywords: AIDS; COVID-19; Clinical guidelines; Co-infection; Epidemiology; HIV; Impact; SARS-CoV-2; Sindemia; Synergia.