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HIV status alters disease severity and immune cell responses in Beta variant SARS-CoV-2 infection wave

2021; eLife Sciences Publications Ltd; Volume: 10; Linguagem: Inglês

10.7554/elife.67397

2050-084X

Farina Karim, Inbal Gazy, Sandile Cele, Yenzekile Zungu, Robert Krause, Mallory Bernstein, Khadija Khan, Yashica Ganga, Hylton Rodel, Ntombifuthi Mthabela, Matilda Mazibuko, Daniel Muema, Dirhona Ramjit, Thumbi Ndung’u, Willem A. Hanekom, Bernadett I. Gosnell, Moherndran Archary, Kaylesh J Dullabh, Jennifer Giandhari, Philip Goulder, Guy Harling, Rohen Harrichandparsad, Kobus Herbst, Prakash Jeena, Thandeka Khoza, Nigel Klein, Rajhmun Madansein, Mohlopheni J. Marakalala, Mosa Moshabela, Kimesh Naidoo, Zaza M. Ndhlovu, Kennedy Nyamande, Nesri Padayatchi, Vinod Patel, Theresa Smit, Adrie J. C. Steyn, Richard Lessells, Emily Wong, Túlio de Oliveira, Mahomed-Yunus S. Moosa, Gil Lustig, Alasdair Leslie, Henrik N. Kløverpris, Alex Sigal,

Long-Term Effects of COVID-19

There are conflicting reports on the effects of HIV on COVID-19. Here, we analyzed disease severity and immune cell changes during and after SARS-CoV-2 infection in 236 participants from South Africa, of which 39% were people living with HIV (PLWH), during the first and second (Beta dominated) infection waves. The second wave had more PLWH requiring supplemental oxygen relative to HIV-negative participants. Higher disease severity was associated with low CD4 T cell counts and higher neutrophil to lymphocyte ratios (NLR). Yet, CD4 counts recovered and NLR stabilized after SARS-CoV-2 clearance in wave 2 infected PLWH, arguing for an interaction between SARS-CoV-2 and HIV infection leading to low CD4 and high NLR. The first infection wave, where severity in HIV negative and PLWH was similar, still showed some HIV modulation of SARS-CoV-2 immune responses. Therefore, HIV infection can synergize with the SARS-CoV-2 variant to change COVID-19 outcomes.