Comparable gut mucosal breakdown and microbial translocation in severe COVID-19 with and without HIV infection.

In this study, we explored the link between gut impairment and severe COVID-19 in people with HIV (PWH). We compared PWH with COVID-19 to HIV-uninfected individuals hospitalized for the same condition. Despite more severe clinical symptoms in PWH, we did not observe significant differences in gut barrier dysfunction markers between the two groups. Our findings suggest a link between SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia and gut damage, independent of HIV status, warranting further investigation into its role in COVID-19 severity.