Risk of HIV viral rebound after SARS-CoV-2 infection among people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy: a retrospective matched cohort study.

BACKGROUND

There are few studies that describe the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on HIV outcomes. We aimed to assess the viral adverse changes associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in PLHIV.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study enrolled 3327 PLHIV on ART. Baseline information was collected through questionnaires and electronic health records. PLHIV with and without SARS-CoV-2 infection (reference) were propensity score matched. The association between SARS-CoV-2 infection and HIV viral rebound was assessed by using log-binomial regression models, with relative risks estimated.

RESULTS

We included 446 PLHIV without SARS-CoV-2 infection and 446 PLHIV with SARS-CoV-2 infection after matching. Compared to PLHIV without SARS-CoV-2 infection, PLHIV with SARS-CoV-2 infection had relatively higher HIV VLs (75th percentile: 105 versus 51 copies per mL; 80th percentile: 257 versus 196 copies per mL; 90th percentile: 5170 versus 2360 copies per mL). PLHIV infected with SARS-CoV-2 had a significantly increased risk of viral rebound (RR of 1.32, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.25, 1.40). The risk was higher among males than females but was comparable across age groups. Similar patterns were observed for secondary outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that SARS-CoV-2 infection is a risk factor for viral rebound in PLHIV on ART.