HIV and SARS-CoV-2 co-infection: The diagnostic challenges of dual pandemics

Parker, Arifa; Shaw, J A; Karamchand, Sumanth; Lahri, Saʼad; Schrueder, Neshaad; Chothia, Mogamat-Yazied; Mowlana, Abdurasiet; Lalla, Usha; Allwood, Brian; Koegelenberg, Coenraad F.N.; Taljaard, Jantjie

doi:10.7196/samj.2020.v110i6.14825

Cited by 17 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 4 publications

(4 reference statements)

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“…There were 3 retrospective cohorts, 1 survey, 5 case series, 6 case reports and 1 commentary. Of all studies, only 2 case reports (14,15) were from sub-Saharan Africa where 70% of HIV patients are found (16). While this may limit the generalizability of the findings of this review, it raises an urgent need for reports on HIV/SARS-CoV-2 co-infection from this region.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The median/mean most recent CD4 count (range) was 298 – 670 cells/mm 3 (n = 107) (7,10,11,13). Studies reported elevated fibrinogen levels (12,27), C-reactive protein (7,9,12,14,18), D-dimers (9), lactate dehydrogenase (7,9,12) and liver enzymes (14,15,27) among individual patients. Thrombopenia (9,12), lymphopenia (9,12,14,28), higher lymphocyte count than HIV negative persons (7) and normal procalcitonin levels (7,9,12,14,25,27) were also reported.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Prevalence, clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of HIV and SARS-CoV-2 co-infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Baluku

Olum

Agolor

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Objectives: To determine the prevalence, clinical characteristics and outcomes of HIV and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS−CoV−2) co−infection. Methods: We searched Medline, Embase, Cochrane and Web of Science databases and grey literature for studies reporting epidemiological and clinical data of patients with HIV and SARS−CoV−2 co−infection. Eligible studies were all observational or interventional studies and commentaries in English language that reported patient data on HIV/SARS−CoV−2 co−infection. We used random effect meta−analysis to determine the pooled prevalence and mortality. Results: Of the 17 eligible studies, there were 3 retrospective cohorts, 1 survey, 5 case series, 7 case reports and 1 commentary that reported on a total of 146 HIV infected individuals. The pooled prevalence of HIV among individuals with SARS−CoV−2 infection was 1.0% (95% CI: 0.0 − 3.0, I2 = 79.3%, p=0.01), whereas the prevalence of SARS−CoV−2 among HIV patients was 0.68% (95% CI: 0.34 − 1.34). There were 110 (83.8%) HIV/ SARS−CoV−2 co−infected males, and the age (range) of the co−infected was 30 − 60 years. A total of 129 (97.0%) were anti−retroviral therapy experienced, and 113 (85.6%) had a suppressed HIV viral load. The CD4 count (range) was 298 − 670 cells/mm3 (n = 107). The commonest symptoms were fever (73.5%, n=75) and cough (57.8%, n = 59). Sixty−two (65.3%) patients had at least one other comorbid condition, of which hypertension (26.4%, n = 38) was the commonest. Chest radiological imaging abnormalities were found in 46 (54.1%) cases. Twenty-eight cases (56.0%) were reported as mild. Recovery occurred in 120 (88.9%) cases, and the pooled mortality was 9% (95% CI: 3.0 − 15.0, I2 = 25.6%, p =0.24). Conclusion: The prevalence of HIV/SARS−CoV−2 co−infection was low. The clinical characteristics and outcomes of HIV/SARS−CoV−2 co−infection are comparable to those reported among HIV negative SARS−CoV−2 cases.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence, clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of HIV and SARS-CoV-2 co-infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Baluku

Olum

Agolor

et al. 2020

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Since then, there has been a continuous rise in the incidence of COVID-19 across the country, as shown by the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) dashboard (5). Considering the daily increase in the number of active cases of COVID-19, the question arises as to whether Nigeria is prepared to face a dual pandemic of HIV and COVID-19 (6,7). Evidently, the COVID-19 pandemic interferes with HIV prevention and treatment services, as maintaining these services is of great importance during the pandemic (8,9).…”

Section: Contextmentioning

confidence: 99%

Identifying the Gaps in HIV Prevention and Treatment During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Nigeria

2020

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Context: To manage the COVID-19 pandemic, the Nigerian government has introduced travel restrictions to reduce the spread of the virus. However, this measure has caused numerous challenges in the accessibility and availability of HIV services (testing, prevention, and treatment) for patients. This study aimed to examine the delivery of HIV care services during the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria by analyzing the barriers to HIV care in recent years, weighing the impact of these barriers, and bridging the existing gaps by proposing practical solutions to maintain the patients’ uninterrupted access to HIV services throughout the pandemic. Evidence Acquisition: We searched Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct databases, using the following MESH headings: “HIV”, “COVID-19”, and “Nigeria”. The reviewed articles provided information on gaps and solutions for maintaining HIV services during the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria. The selected papers were all written in English, with no time restrictions. Also, further publications were identified from the reference lists of articles and reports via snowball sampling. Results: The collected data in 2018 revealed that 67% of people living with HIV were aware of their disease status. Based on the results, 53% of people living with HIV were on antiretroviral treatment, and 42% of people living with HIV had viral suppression, based on the global 90-90-90 HIV targets. Ten barriers and gaps were identified in different aspects of HIV care delivery (prevention, testing, and treatment), and practical solutions were proposed to provide a more effective approach for ensuring the availability and accessibility of services during pandemics. Conclusions: A unique and inter-sectoral approach is generally needed to address different barriers to the delivery of HIV care services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, funding of HIV care services is critical at this time. Based on the findings, HIV care services (prevention, testing, and treatment programs) cannot be postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak, otherwise Nigeria may face a double pandemic.

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“…Co-morbidities such as tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS, endemic to South Africa, are considered a dangerous combination with COVID-19 [14,15]. HIV and AIDS are still a significant epidemic in South Africa, and the co-infection with COVID-19 results in significant diagnostic challenges [16]. The first critically ill patient admitted to Tygerberg hospital in Cape Town during the COVID-19 pandemic, was co-infected with HIV and SARS-CoV-2 [16].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…HIV and AIDS are still a significant epidemic in South Africa, and the co-infection with COVID-19 results in significant diagnostic challenges [16]. The first critically ill patient admitted to Tygerberg hospital in Cape Town during the COVID-19 pandemic, was co-infected with HIV and SARS-CoV-2 [16]. HIV has been a concern and constant consideration for podiatrists in South Africa [17], as it is for all health workers in whom the incidence is high [18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 Pandemic and the South African Podiatrist

Zipfel¹,

Dembskey²

2020

Preprint

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The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is clearly taking a firmer grip on South Africa and more podiatrists will face the potential transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Government response was swift with the implementation of a travel ban, strict national lockdown as well as social distancing and hygiene protocols in line with international health regulations. Co-morbidities such as tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS, endemic to South Africa, are considered a dangerous combination with COVID-19, making many South Africans vulnerable to contracting the COVID-19. Patients with diabetes as well as the aged are vulnerable, both in terms of potential combined complications and challenges in continuity in foot care. The demands of the pandemic may outstrip the ability of the health systems to cope. Should this time arrive, all healthcare practitioners, including podiatrists, would have to step in and take on a role beyond their scope of practice in order to ensure that the healthcare system does not get overwhelmed. It is important for podiatrists to keep abreast with the developments around the COVID-19, in order that they may institute appropriate clinical practice which will ensure maximum protection for themselves, staff and patients as well as providing quality foot health care.

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HIV and SARS-CoV-2 co-infection: The diagnostic challenges of dual pandemics

Cited by 17 publications

References 4 publications

Prevalence, clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of HIV and SARS-CoV-2 co-infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Prevalence, clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of HIV and SARS-CoV-2 co-infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Identifying the Gaps in HIV Prevention and Treatment During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Nigeria

COVID-19 Pandemic and the South African Podiatrist

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