Immune Dysregulation in HIV and COVID‐19 Co‐infection: Therapeutic Implications

TL;DR

This study finds that people with HIV who get COVID-19 have different immune responses, with lower levels of certain cytokines, which may lead to milder symptoms and better outcomes.

Contribution

The study identifies distinct immune profiles in HIV-positive individuals with COVID-19 compared to the general population.

Findings

HIV-positive individuals with COVID-19 had significantly lower levels of IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A, INFγ, and TNF-α.

The HIV-positive group experienced milder complications compared to the general population with SARS-CoV-2.

These findings suggest that HIV infection may alter the immune response to SARS-CoV-2.

Abstract

Co‐infection with HIV and SARS‐CoV‐2 presents a complex clinical picture. Deciphering the immune response in this population, particularly the role of cytokines underlying immunopathogenesis could elucidates the development of targeted therapeutic interventions.

This prospective, two‐stage study enrolled 75 individuals with HIV diagnosed with COVID‐19 (case group) and 25 individuals from the general population infected with SARS‐CoV‐2 only (control group). COVID‐19 diagnosis followed World Health Organization guidelines. Plasma cytokine levels were measured using a cytokine bead array.

The case group skewed slightly females (61.2% vs. 42.9% female in the control group) an average age of 3 years older (44.13 years vs. 40.86 years). Importantly, all the case group participants had mild complications, while a significant majority (88.1%) in the control group experienced severe complications. The control group displayed a substantially higher IgM titer 963 IU/mL compared to only 39.3 IU/mL in the case group. The control group had significantly higher levels of IL‐6, IL‐10, IFN‐γ, TNF‐α compared to the case group.

This study suggests a potentially distinct immune response in HIV‐positive patients when infected with SARS‐CoV‐2. Elucidating these differences could lead to the development of more effective treatment strategies for this vulnerable population.

This study investigated the correlation between plasma levels of interleukins in PLWH with COVID‐19 compared to the general population.There were significantly lower levels of IL‐6, IL‐10, IL‐17A, INFγ, and TNF‐α in PLWH compared to the control group in both acute and recovery phases of COVID‐19.These findings suggest a potential link between HIV infection and altered immune response to SARS‐CoV‐2.

This study investigated the correlation between plasma levels of interleukins in PLWH with COVID‐19 compared to the general population.

There were significantly lower levels of IL‐6, IL‐10, IL‐17A, INFγ, and TNF‐α in PLWH compared to the control group in both acute and recovery phases of COVID‐19.

These findings suggest a potential link between HIV infection and altered immune response to SARS‐CoV‐2.

Figures